How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Journey Through Time

The Sims 4 community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience life across different eras. This guide details the rules and gameplay adjustments needed to successfully navigate this historical simulation.

Challenge Overview and Rules:

The challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 (or 2020, depending on your preference), with each two in-game days representing a year. Automatic aging is disabled, and lifespan is adjusted based on historical life expectancy: Sims born before 1950 have shorter lifespans than those born after.

Age Progression (in-game days/approximate age):

• Baby: 1 day (6 months)
• Toddler: 3 days (2 years)
• Child: 8 days (6 years)
• Teen: 14 days (13 years)
• Young Adult (Pre-1950): 26 days (32 years)
• Young Adult (Post-1950): 32 days (35 years)
• Adult (Pre-1950): 36 days (50 years)
• Adult (Post-1950): 60 days (65 years)
• Elder (Pre-1950): Dies around 14 days after becoming an elder (approx. 60 years old)
• Elder (Post-1950): Dies around 56 days after becoming an elder (approx. 90 years old)

Begin with a single young adult Sim (or a married couple), optionally including their parents to reflect multi-generational households. Clothing and hairstyles should reflect the era. Housing is limited; Strangerville is forbidden, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and Sulani is discouraged for realism. Apartments are permissible for single Sims, but marriage requires a house.

Technology use is restricted to gameplay necessities; phones, computers, etc., are only available when historically accurate. Job choices should also reflect the time period.

Decade-Specific Rules (Summary):

For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's complete guide. This section provides a concise overview:

• 1890s: Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage. No WooHoo; only "try for baby" allowed. Home births. Men work period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking); women manage the household, with limited freelancing/gardening options if widowed. No electricity. Elementary school mandatory; high school optional. University allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.

• 1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing but no showers. Other 1890s rules apply. Phonographs are permitted.

• 1910s: World War I draft for teen/young adult/adult males; all drafted males must eat Cow Plant cake (dice roll determines if they eat it again). If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become heirs. High school mandatory (C average required). Women can take manual labor jobs.

• 1920s: Women can be heirs; no Creative trait requirement. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options allowed. Prohibition: no alcohol.

• 1930s: Kegs allowed at university. Great Depression: Sims lose jobs initially, then find new ones after a week. One cooked meal per day; others scavenged/grown/caught. Prohibition ends.

• 1940s: World War II draft (same rules as WWI). Victory garden required (4+ plants). Thermostats, washers, dryers, and radios allowed (radio listening mandatory).

• 1950s: Korean War draft (same rules). Showers and cheap TVs allowed. High school mandatory. Phones allowed for calls.

• 1960s: Vietnam War draft (same rules, for two oldest children). Any college major allowed. Maternity leave for women. WooHoo allowed.

• 1970s: Vietnam War draft (same rules, for two oldest children). Marriage encouraged, not required. Microwaves and dishwashers allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery available.

• 1980s: Gaming allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies allowed; hospital births.

• 1990s: Laptops allowed. No TV restrictions. Texting allowed. Y2K shelter required (3-day stay).

• 2000s: Computer and phone restrictions lifted (except Trendi). Home or hospital births. All music and TV allowed.

• 2010s: No journalism (print media). Same-sex marriage allowed. All part-time work allowed. Meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator available.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge offers a rewarding and historically themed gameplay experience. While the Eco Lifestyle pack is beneficial, the challenge can be adapted to suit your existing game content.

The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.