The *The Sims 4* community is brimming with creative challenges that add depth and excitement to the game. One such popular challenge is the Decades Challenge, which lets your Sims journey through time, experiencing life from the late 19th century to the modern day. Whether you're a history buff or just looking to spice up your gameplay, this challenge offers a unique way to explore the evolution of society and technology within the world of *The Sims 4*.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
Before embarking on this historical adventure, it's crucial to understand the rules and how the challenge works. In the Decades Challenge, every two in-game days represent a new year, starting from 1890. However, you can customize the timeline to suit your preferences, making the challenge uniquely yours. For example, days one and two are considered 1890, days three and four as 1891, and so forth, up until 2010 or 2020, depending on your choice. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, now's a fantastic time to delve into this historical journey.
To ensure authenticity, turn off automatic aging and adhere to life expectancy guidelines. Life expectancy has evolved over time, so Sims are categorized into those born before and after 1950, reflecting the significant changes in longevity.
The life stages and their corresponding ages for the challenge are as follows:
- Baby: Age after 1 day (6 months old)
- Infant: Age after 3 days (2 years old)
- Toddler: Age after 8 days (6 years old)
- Child: Age after 14 days (13 years old)
- Teen: Age after 12 days (19 years old)
For Sims born before 1950, the subsequent stages are:
- Young Adult: Age after 26 days (32 years old)
- Adult: Age after 36 days (50 years old)
- Elder: Dies after about 14 days (around 60 years old)
For those born after 1950:
- Young Adult: Age after 32 days (35 years old)
- Adult: Age after 60 days (65 years old)
- Elder: Dies after about 56 days (around 90 years old)
To start the challenge, you can begin with a single young adult or a young adult couple. One Sim may have their parents in the household to reflect the multi-generational living common during the early years. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate attire to enhance the immersive experience.
Housing rules include restrictions on certain neighborhoods. You can't use Strangerville, and Del Sol Valley is off-limits until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid using Sulani as well. Singles can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move into a house.
For technology, use phones and computers only for necessary gameplay elements until the appropriate decade. Job choices should also reflect the era you're simulating.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties
Each decade in the Decades Challenge comes with its own set of rules, adding layers of complexity and historical accuracy. Here's a brief overview of the rules for each decade. For more detailed rules, check out Cute Coffee Gal's full guide.
1890s
In the 1890s, only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only reason for Sims to sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs, such as woodworking, while women manage the household, with the option to freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not allowed. Children attend elementary school, but high school is not mandatory. University is open to both genders but must pursue period-appropriate majors. Begin creating a Cow Plant during this decade.
1900s
Lamps and indoor plumbing are now permitted, but showers are not. Jobs and education rules remain the same. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other 1890s rules continue to apply.
1910s
Teen, Young Adult, and Adult males are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake. Roll a dice for each male; odd numbers eat the cake again, while even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; otherwise, the Sim moves out. Men can attend university after serving in the war, and women can take manual labor jobs.
1920s
Women can be heirs and don't need to move out upon marriage. The Creative trait for daughters is optional. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work if their husbands don't earn enough. Alcohol is prohibited due to the Prohibition era.
1930s
Kegs are permitted at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. Sims cannot join business careers and lose their jobs at the start of the decade, regaining them after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal per day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
Follow World War I rules for World War II. Every household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. Each household needs a radio, and at least one Sim must listen to it daily. High schoolers are not sent away for poor grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son serves in the Korean War under the same rules. Showers and inexpensive TVs are allowed. Radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school remains compulsory, and phones can be used for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender serve in the Vietnam War. College majors are unrestricted. Women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is now allowed without restrictions.
1970s
The oldest two children again serve in the Vietnam War. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are permitted. Lottery tickets and food delivery become available.
1980s
Gaming is allowed. 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. Families must build a Y2K shelter and remain in it for three days.
2000s
Computer and phone restrictions are removed, except for Trendi. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital. All music types and TV channels are allowed.
2010s
Journalism is not allowed due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time work, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, are allowed.
That's everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack enhances the experience, you can adapt the challenge to fit any packs you own or don't own.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
