If you're a fan of *The Sims 4* and enjoy adding a layer of historical realism to your gameplay, the Decades Challenge is an engaging way to experience your Sims' lives through different eras. Let's dive into how you can set up and enjoy this unique challenge.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
To start, familiarize yourself with the challenge's rules and structure. The concept revolves around each two in-game days representing a new year, beginning in 1890. You can customize the timeline to suit your preferences, but traditionally, the challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 or 2020. 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 in your game settings and refer to these life expectancy guidelines, which vary depending on whether your Sims were born before or after 1950:
- 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 begin the challenge, start with a single young adult Sim or a young adult couple. You can include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living common during the era. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the historical immersion.
Regarding housing, you cannot use Strangerville at all, and Del Sol Valley becomes available only in the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid using Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but they must move to a house upon marriage.
For technology, use phones only for gameplay elements until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, which are necessary for certain jobs and ordering items. When choosing careers, consider what 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 a detailed breakdown, check out Cute Coffee Gal's full challenge rules. Here's a brief overview:
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 Sims can sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household but can freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not allowed, and children must attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University is permitted for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.
1900s
Lamps are now allowed, and indoor plumbing is introduced, but no showers. Jobs and education rules remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other rules from the previous decade still 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 drafted 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 must move out. 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 upon marriage. The Creative trait is no longer mandatory for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work under more circumstances, especially if their husbands don't earn enough. 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 one week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal a day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
Follow World War I rules for World War II. Each household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed, and every household needs a radio, with at least one Sim listening for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for poor grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son goes to war in the Korean War, following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed, and listening to the radio is no longer required. High school remains mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War, following the same rules. Sims can choose any college major, and women are allowed maternity leave. WooHooing is now permitted without restrictions.
1970s
The oldest two children of any gender 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, and texting is permitted. 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, and 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, and 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.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
