How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

Embark on a historical journey with The Sims 4 Decades Challenge! This engaging community-created challenge lets your Sims experience life across different eras, from the 1890s to the 2010s. Let's explore the rules and gameplay.

Challenge Overview & Setup:

The core concept is a two-day-per-year system, starting in 1890 and progressing to 2010 or 2020. Customize the years to fit your preferences. Crucially, disable automatic aging and utilize the provided lifespan guidelines:

• Sims born before 1950: Shorter lifespans reflecting historical life expectancy.
• Sims born after 1950: Longer lifespans reflecting increased life expectancy.

Early life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen) age up consistently regardless of birth year. Adult aging differs based on the birth year categories.

Begin with a single young adult Sim or a married young adult couple. Including parents is optional, reflecting multi-generational households of the time. Strive for period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles.

Housing & Technology Restrictions:

• World Restrictions: Strangerville is off-limits. Del Sol Valley is unavailable until the 1950s. For enhanced realism, avoid Sulani. Apartments are permitted for single Sims, but marriage necessitates a house move.
• Technology: Phones are allowed for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the relevant decade. Computers are similarly restricted, only accessible for necessary jobs or ordering items. Job choices should align with the era's available professions.

Decade-Specific Rules (Summary):

For detailed rules, consult Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a concise overview of each decade's unique challenges:

• 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 job 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 (no showers). Other 1890s rules apply. Phonographs permitted for music.

• 1910s: World War I draft for teen, young adult, and adult males. All drafted males must eat Cow Plant cake; dice roll determines if they eat it again or return home. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become the heir. High school becomes mandatory (C average required). Manual labor jobs for women.

• 1920s: Female heirs allowed; daughters don't need the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options available. More job opportunities for women. Prohibition: no alcohol allowed.

• 1930s: Kegs allowed at university. Great Depression: Sims lose jobs initially, then find new ones after a week. Prohibition ends. One cooked meal daily; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown.

• 1940s: World War II draft (same rules as WWI). Victory garden required (four or more plants). Thermostats, washers, dryers allowed. Radio required (one Sim must listen for an hour daily). No punishment for poor high school grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.

• 1950s: Korean War draft (same rules). Showers and cheap TVs allowed. Radio listening not required. High school mandatory. Phones allowed for calls.

• 1960s: Vietnam War draft (two oldest children of any gender). Any college major allowed. Maternity leave for women. WooHoo allowed.

• 1970s: Vietnam War draft (two oldest children). Marriage encouraged but 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 preferred.

• 1990s: Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV viewing. Appliance and furniture restrictions lifted. Texting allowed. Y2K shelter required (three-day stay).

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

• 2010s: No journalism (print media decline). Same-sex marriage allowed. All part-time work allowed, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator.

The Decades Challenge offers a unique and engaging Sims 4 experience, adaptable to different game packs. Enjoy your historical simulation!

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