The *The Sims 4* community thrives on creating unique challenges to keep gameplay fresh and engaging. One such challenge that lets your Sims journey through different eras is the Decades Challenge. If you're eager to dive into this historical adventure, understanding its rules and intricacies is crucial.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
To start, turn off automatic aging and use the following life expectancy guidelines, reflecting the historical changes in life spans. Sims are categorized based on their birth year:
- Born before 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)
- 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)
- Born 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)
- 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)
Begin with a single young adult or a young adult couple. You may include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the immersive experience.
Housing rules add to the realism: avoid Strangerville entirely, and don't use Del Sol Valley until the 1950s. For maximum authenticity, steer clear of Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments but must move to a house upon marriage.
Technology usage is restricted to maintain historical accuracy. Use phones only for gameplay necessities until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, which are essential for certain jobs and ordering items. Choose jobs that fit the era you're simulating.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties
1890s
Only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must take the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only acceptable reason for Sims to sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work in period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household but can freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is forbidden, and kids attend elementary school but not high school. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Start cultivating a Cow Plant this decade.
1900s
Lamps and indoor plumbing are introduced, but no showers. Jobs and education rules remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs are acceptable for music.
1910s
Males are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake, with a dice roll determining their fate. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become heirs. High school becomes mandatory, with a minimum C average required. Males can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.
1920s
Women can be heirs and don't need to move out when married. The Creative trait is no longer mandatory for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are permitted. Women can work if their husbands' income is insufficient. Alcohol is banned due to Prohibition.
1930s
Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. Sims lose their jobs at the decade's start and can only get new ones after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal daily, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
World War II rules apply similarly to World War I. Every household must maintain a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are permitted. A radio is mandatory, and one Sim must listen to it daily for an hour. High schoolers aren't sent away for poor grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son participates in the Korean War. Showers and affordable TVs are allowed. High school is mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender are drafted for the Vietnam War. College majors are unrestricted. Women get maternity leave, and WooHooing is no longer limited to trying for a baby.
1970s
Vietnam War rules continue. Marriage is encouraged but not mandatory. Microwaves and dishwashers become available, along with lottery tickets and food delivery.
1980s
Gaming is permitted. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed, and hospital births become standard.
1990s
Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted, and texting is permitted. 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. All music and TV channels are unrestricted.
2010s
Journalism with print media is disallowed. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time work, along with the meat wall, trendi, and weather generator, are allowed.
This comprehensive guide to the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4* will immerse you in a historical journey. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack enhances the experience, feel free to adapt the challenge to include or exclude other packs as you see fit.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
