Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Step-by-Step Guide

The *The Sims 4* community is known for its creativity, constantly inventing new ways to make the game more challenging and engaging. One popular challenge that transports your Sims through various time periods is the Decades Challenge. If you're looking to experience the evolution of life through different eras, here's a comprehensive guide on how to embark on this journey.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Image via EA

To start, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the Decades Challenge. The core concept is that every two days represents a new year, beginning in 1890. You can customize the years to suit your preferences, but for the standard challenge, days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on, up to 2010 or 2020. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, it's the perfect time to delve into this historical journey.

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 or after 1950, due to the significant increase in life expectancy around that time. Here's how each life stage should be managed:

• 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 or a young adult couple. You can include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living common in the past. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the immersion.

Housing rules add another layer of realism. You cannot use Strangerville at all, and Del Sol Valley is off-limits until the 1950s. For ultimate authenticity, avoid Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but must move to a house upon marriage.

When it comes to technology, phones can be used for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. Computers are necessary for certain jobs and ordering items, but adhere to the same rules regarding usage.

For job choices, use your judgment based on the historical context of the period you're in.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Image via EA

Each decade of the Decades Challenge comes with its own set of rules, adding unique difficulties and historical accuracies. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide, but 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 Sims can only sleep together when trying for a baby. Babies are born at home. Men work in period-appropriate jobs such as woodworking, while women tend to the house or can take up freelancing or gardening if widowed. Electricity is not allowed, and children must attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Start cultivating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps are now permissible, and indoor plumbing is introduced, but showers are not allowed. Jobs and education rules remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other 1890s rules still apply.

1910s

During the 1910s, male Sims are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake. A dice roll determines their fate; odd numbers eat the cake again, even numbers return home. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; otherwise, Sims must move out. Male Sims can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

In the 1920s, women can be heirs and don't have to move out upon marriage. The Creative trait for daughters is optional. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are now 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 a week. Prohibition ends, but Sims are limited to one cooked meal per day, with other meals needing to be scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

The 1940s follow World War II rules similar to World War I. Households must have victory gardens with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed, and a radio is required, with 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 affordable TVs are permitted, and listening to the radio isn't required. 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. College majors are unrestricted, and women can take maternity leave. Sims can now WooHoo without restriction.

1970s

The Vietnam War continues to affect the oldest two children. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves, dishwashers, lottery tickets, and food delivery become available.

1980s

Gaming is now allowed, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are permissible, and hospital births are the norm.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted, and texting is permissible. Families must build a Y2K shelter and stay 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, and all music and TV channels are available.

2010s

Journalism careers are limited due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are allowed, and all part-time jobs are permissible, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and the weather generator.

And that's all you need to know to get started with the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is beneficial, you can adapt the challenge to suit any other packs you own.

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