The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Journey Through Time
The Sims 4 community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience your Sims' lives across different eras. This guide explains the rules and how to navigate this historical simulation.
Challenge Overview and Rules:
The challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 (or 2020, depending on your preference), with each two in-game days representing a year. Automatic aging is disabled, and lifespan is adjusted based on historical life expectancy: Sims born before 1950 have shorter lifespans than those born afterward. You begin with a single young adult Sim or a married couple, optionally including parents to reflect multi-generational households common in earlier eras. Costumes should reflect the fashion of each decade.
Specific location restrictions apply: Strangerville is prohibited, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and Sulani is discouraged for realism. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a house. Technology use is limited to gameplay necessities; phones, computers, etc., are only available when historically appropriate. Job choices should align with the era.
Decade-Specific Rules and Difficulties:
The challenge increases in complexity with each decade. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a summarized overview:
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1890s: Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage. WooHoo is prohibited; only "try for baby" is 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 is mandatory; high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.
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1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers). Other 1890s rules remain, with the addition of phonographs.
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1910s: Male teens, young adults, and adults are drafted for WWI; they must eat Cow Plant cake (additional servings based on dice roll). The oldest female and her husband become heirs if all males perish. High school becomes mandatory (C average required). Women can take manual labor jobs.
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1920s: Female heirs are allowed; daughters don't need the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are available. Women have broader work opportunities. Alcohol is prohibited (Prohibition era).
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1930s: Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression is simulated: Sims lose their jobs initially, regaining employment after a week. Prohibition ends. One cooked meal per day; others must be scavenged, caught, or grown.
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1940s: WWII draft (same rules as WWI). Victory gardens (four or more plants) are required. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. Radios are mandatory (one hour of daily listening). High schoolers aren't penalized for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.
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1950s: Korean War draft (same rules). Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.
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1960s: Vietnam War draft (two oldest children of any gender). College majors are unrestricted. Maternity leave is allowed. WooHoo is unrestricted.
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1970s: Vietnam War draft (two oldest children). Marriage is encouraged but not mandatory. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery are available.
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1980s: Gaming is allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed; hospital births are preferred.
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1990s: Laptops are allowed. TV watching is unrestricted. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is allowed. Y2K shelter construction and three-day confinement are required.
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2000s: Computer and phone restrictions are lifted (except for Trendi). Home or hospital births are allowed. All music and TV are available.
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2010s: Journalism (print media) is prohibited. Same-sex marriage is allowed. All part-time work, the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator are available.
The Decades Challenge offers a rich and adaptable experience, allowing for customization based on your available game packs. Enjoy your journey through time!
The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
