How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

If you're a fan of *The Sims 4* and enjoy diving into unique gameplay experiences, the Decades Challenge is an excellent way to explore life through different historical periods. This challenge adds depth and difficulty to your Sims' lives, making each playthrough a unique journey through time.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

To embark on the Decades Challenge, you'll first need to understand its rules and how it works. The challenge spans from 1890 to either 2010 or 2020, with each two days representing a new year. Feel free to adjust the years to personalize your experience. For instance, days one and two represent 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on. The ongoing Blast from the Past event makes this the perfect time to delve into this historical adventure.

It's crucial to turn off automatic aging and use specific life expectancy guidelines to reflect historical changes. Sims are categorized based on their birth year: before 1950 or after 1950, as this marks a significant increase in life expectancy.

Here are the age milestones for all Sims:

• 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:

• 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 Sims 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 married couple of young adults. One Sim can have their parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living. When it comes to appearance, strive to select outfits that fit the time period.

Housing rules include avoiding Strangerville entirely and not using Del Sol Valley until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move to a house.

Technology usage is limited to gameplay elements until the appropriate decade. Phones and computers can be used for necessary tasks but not for entertainment or communication until the right time. Choose jobs that align with the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade in the Decades Challenge introduces unique rules to enhance the historical immersion. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal’s full challenge guidelines. Here's an overview:

1890s

Only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out after marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, with trying for a baby being the sole reason for intimacy. Babies are born at home. Men work in period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household, with the option to freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is forbidden, and kids attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps and indoor plumbing are now permitted, but no showers. 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, requiring them to eat Cow Plant cake and roll a dice for survival. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement. Male Sims can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

Women can now be heirs and don't need to move out when married. The Creative trait isn't mandatory for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work if their husbands' income is insufficient. Alcohol is prohibited due to Prohibition.

1930s

Kegs are permitted at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. All Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can only get new ones after a week. Prohibition ends, and meals are limited to one cooked meal per day, with others scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

World War II rules mirror those of World War I. Every household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed, and a radio is mandatory with daily listening requirements. High schoolers stay home regardless of grades, and teens can hold part-time jobs.

1950s

The oldest son participates in the Korean War following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are now allowed, and radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school is required, and phones can be used for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender participate in the Vietnam War. Any college major is permitted, and women can take maternity leave. Sims can WooHoo without restrictions.

1970s

The oldest two children again participate in the Vietnam War. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves, dishwashers, lottery tickets, and food delivery are now available.

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, and texting is permitted. Families must build a Y2K shelter and stay in it for three days.

2000s

All computer and phone restrictions, except for Trendi, are lifted. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital, and all music types and TV channels are allowed.

2010s

Journalism with print media is prohibited. Same-sex marriages are permitted, and all part-time work, including the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, is allowed.

This covers all 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 include or exclude other packs as you see fit.

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