If you're a fan of *The Sims 4* and love the idea of experiencing life through different time periods, then the Decades Challenge is perfect for you. This challenge adds a fun twist to the game by simulating historical progression, allowing you to live through various eras with your Sims.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
To start, familiarize yourself with the rules and the overall structure of the Decades Challenge. The challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 or 2020, with each two days representing a new year. You can customize the years to suit your preference. This means that days one and two represent 1890, days three and four represent 1891, and so on. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, it's an ideal time to embark on this historical journey.
Ensure that automatic aging is disabled, and use specific guidelines for life expectancy, which varies depending on whether your Sims were born before or after 1950. This is due to significant increases in life expectancy around that time.
The life stages and aging guidelines are as follows:
- Baby: Ages after 1 day (6 months old)
- Infant: Ages after 3 days (2 years old)
- Toddler: Ages after 8 days (6 years old)
- Child: Ages after 14 days (13 years old)
- Teen: Ages after 12 days (19 years old)
For Sims born before 1950:
- Young Adult: Ages after 26 days (32 years old)
- Adult: Ages after 36 days (50 years old)
- Elder: Dies after about 14 days (around 60 years old)
For Sims born after 1950:
- Young Adult: Ages after 32 days (35 years old)
- Adult: Ages after 60 days (65 years old)
- Elder: Dies after about 56 days (around 90 years old)
To begin the challenge, start with a single young adult or a young adult married couple. You can also include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living common at the time. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the historical experience.
Housing restrictions are in place: you can't use Strangerville at all, and Del Sol Valley is off-limits until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but must move to a house upon getting married.
Technology usage is regulated. You can use phones for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, which are necessary for certain jobs and ordering items like books and seeds. Choose jobs that would have been available during the time period you're simulating.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties
Each decade in the Decades Challenge comes with its own set of rules, adding unique challenges and historical context. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's full challenge guidelines.
1890s
In the 1890s, only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out once married. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only reason Sims can sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs like woodworking at home, while women tend to the house, with the option to freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not permitted. Kids must attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University is allowed for both genders but must pursue period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.
1900s
Lamps are now allowed, and you have indoor plumbing, but no showers. Jobs and education rules remain the same as in the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable.
1910s
Teen, Young Adult, and Adult males are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake. Roll a dice for each drafted male; odd numbers eat the cake again, while even numbers go home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average, otherwise, the Sim moves to a new house. Male Sims can attend university after the war, and women can take manual labor jobs.
1920s
Women can be heirs and don't need to move out when married. Daughters can skip the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work under more circumstances. Alcohol is prohibited due to Prohibition.
1930s
Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. Sims can't join business careers and lose their jobs at the start of the decade, regaining them after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims get one cooked meal a day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
Follow World War I rules for World War II. Each household needs a victory garden with four or more plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. Every household must have a radio, and at least one Sim must listen to it for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for bad grades, and teens can hold part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son goes to war in the Korean War, following previous rules. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Listening to the radio isn't required, and high school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War. Sims can choose any college major. Women get maternity leave, and Sims can WooHoo without restriction.
1970s
The oldest two children go to war in the Vietnam War again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed, along with lottery tickets and food delivery.
1980s
Gaming is allowed, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are permitted, and babies should be born at the hospital.
1990s
Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is permitted, and all families must build a Y2K shelter and stay in it for three days.
2000s
Computer and phone restrictions are lifted, except for Trendi. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital. All music types and TV channels are allowed.
2010s
Journalism with print media is not allowed. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time work, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, are allowed.
That covers everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is quite useful, you can adjust the challenge to fit any other packs you own or don't own.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
