diff --git a/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.cpp b/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d6f4efbf5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#include "global.h"
+#include "LifeMeter.h"
+#include "LifeMeterBar.h"
+#include "LifeMeterBattery.h"
+#include "LifeMeterTime.h"
+
+LifeMeter *LifeMeter::MakeLifeMeter( SongOptions::LifeType t )
+{
+	switch( t )
+	{
+	case SongOptions::LIFE_BAR:     return new LifeMeterBar;
+	case SongOptions::LIFE_BATTERY: return new LifeMeterBattery;
+	case SongOptions::LIFE_TIME:    return new LifeMeterTime;
+	default:
+		ASSERT(0);
+	}
+}
+
+/*
+ * (c) 2005 Glenn Maynard
+ * All rights reserved.
+ * 
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a
+ * copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
+ * "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
+ * without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
+ * distribute, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to
+ * whom the Software is furnished to do so, provided that the above
+ * copyright notice(s) and this permission notice appear in all copies of
+ * the Software and that both the above copyright notice(s) and this
+ * permission notice appear in supporting documentation.
+ * 
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
+ * OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
+ * MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF
+ * THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR HOLDERS
+ * INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, OR ANY SPECIAL INDIRECT
+ * OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS
+ * OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR
+ * OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
+ * PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+ */
diff --git a/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.h b/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.h
index f0d0f5f14d..e0ddf88645 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/LifeMeter.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "PlayerNumber.h"
 #include "GameConstantsAndTypes.h"
 #include "ActorFrame.h"
+#include "SongOptions.h"
 
 class PlayerState;
 class PlayerStageStats;
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@ public:
 	virtual void UpdateNonstopLifebar(int cleared, int total, int ProgressiveLifebarDifficulty) = 0;
 	virtual void ForceFail() = 0;
 
+	static LifeMeter *MakeLifeMeter( SongOptions::LifeType t );
+
 protected:
 	const PlayerState *m_pPlayerState;
 	PlayerStageStats *m_pPlayerStageStats;
diff --git a/stepmania/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp b/stepmania/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
index d455d1f3d2..59cbbc8f61 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
@@ -8,9 +8,7 @@
 #include "SongManager.h"
 #include "Steps.h"
 #include "RageLog.h"
-#include "LifeMeterBar.h"
-#include "LifeMeterBattery.h"
-#include "LifeMeterTime.h"
+#include "LifeMeter.h"
 #include "GameState.h"
 #include "ScoreDisplayNormal.h"
 #include "ScoreDisplayPercentage.h"
@@ -562,21 +560,7 @@ void ScreenGameplay::Init()
 			if( !GAMESTATE->IsPlayerEnabled(pi->m_pn) && !SHOW_LIFE_METER_FOR_DISABLED_PLAYERS )
 				continue;	// skip
 
-			switch( GAMESTATE->m_SongOptions.m_LifeType )
-			{
-			case SongOptions::LIFE_BAR:
-				pi->m_pLifeMeter = new LifeMeterBar;
-				break;
-			case SongOptions::LIFE_BATTERY:
-				pi->m_pLifeMeter = new LifeMeterBattery;
-				break;
-			case SongOptions::LIFE_TIME:
-				pi->m_pLifeMeter = new LifeMeterTime;
-				break;
-			default:
-				ASSERT(0);
-			}
-
+			pi->m_pLifeMeter = LifeMeter::MakeLifeMeter( GAMESTATE->m_SongOptions.m_LifeType );
 			pi->m_pLifeMeter->Load( pi->GetPlayerState(), pi->GetPlayerStageStats() );
 			pi->m_pLifeMeter->SetName( ssprintf("Life%s",pi->GetName().c_str()) );
 			SET_XY( pi->m_pLifeMeter );