The *The Sims 4* community thrives on creative challenges that add depth and variety to the game. One such popular challenge is the Decades Challenge, which allows you to experience life through different time periods. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to engage with this exciting challenge.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
To dive into the Decades Challenge, start by understanding its rules and mechanics. The challenge spans from 1890 to either 2010 or 2020, where every two days represents a new year. You can customize the timeline to suit your preferences. For instance, days one and two are considered 1890, days three and four as 1891, and so on. The ongoing Blast from the Past event makes this an ideal time to embark on this historical journey.
Ensure automatic aging is disabled, and use specific life expectancy guidelines to reflect historical changes. Sims are categorized into those born before 1950 and those after, due to significant shifts in life expectancy around that time. Here are the age milestones for each category:
- 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. You may also include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the experience.
Housing rules include restrictions on certain worlds: Strangerville is off-limits entirely, and Del Sol Valley is not available until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid using Sulani. Single Sims can live in apartments, but must move to a house upon marriage.
Technology usage is also regulated. Phones can be used 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. Choose jobs based on their historical availability.
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 guide. Here's a brief overview of each decade:
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 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 with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.
1900s
Lamps and indoor plumbing are now allowed, but no showers. Jobs and education rules remain the same as 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, even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is mandatory with a C average; otherwise, the Sim must move out. Male Sims can attend university post-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 is optional for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work 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 lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can find new ones after a 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. Households must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. A radio is required, and at least one Sim must listen for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for bad grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son goes to war in the Korean War. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. High school is mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War. Any college major is allowed, and women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is no longer restricted.
1970s
The oldest two children go to war in the Vietnam War again. 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. Texting is permitted, and 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 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.
This comprehensive guide 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 fit any packs you own.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
