The *The Sims 4* community is always buzzing with exciting challenges to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. One of the most immersive and historically inspired challenges is the Decades Challenge, which takes your Sims on a journey through different time periods. Let's dive into the details and learn how to make the most of this fascinating experience.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
Make sure to turn off automatic aging and use specific life expectancy guides. Since life expectancy has changed over time, categorize your Sims into those born before 1950 and those born after. Here's how the aging works:
- 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 Adult Sims born before 1950, the aging milestones are:
- 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 Adult Sims born after 1950, the aging milestones are:
- 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 either begin with a single young adult or a married couple of young adults. Including a Sim's parents in the household adds a touch of historical accuracy, reflecting multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance immersion.
When it comes to housing, avoid using Strangerville entirely, and don't use Del Sol Valley until the 1950s. For added realism, skip Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but they must move to a house upon marriage.
Technology usage is restricted until the appropriate decade. Use phones only for necessary gameplay elements, not for entertainment or communication until the right time. Computers are allowed for job-related tasks and ordering items like books and seeds. Choose jobs that would realistically be available during the time period your Sims are living in.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties
1890s
In the 1890s, only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited; Sims can only sleep together to try for a baby. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs, such as woodworking at home, while women tend to the household. Widowed women may take up freelancing or gardening. Electricity is not allowed. Kids attend elementary school, but high school isn't mandatory. University is available for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start cultivating a Cow Plant during this decade.
1900s
Lamps are now permitted, and indoor plumbing is available, though showers are not. Jobs and education remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs for music are allowed. Otherwise, the rules from the previous decade still apply.
1910s
Teen, Young Adult, and Adult males are drafted for World War I. They must eat Cow Plant cake, and their fate is determined by rolling a dice: odd numbers eat the cake again, while even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is now mandatory with a C average; otherwise, the Sim must move to a new house. Male Sims can attend university after the war, and women can take manual labor jobs.
1920s
Women can be heirs and don't need to move out upon marriage. Daughters can skip the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work if their husbands don't earn enough. Due to Prohibition, alcohol is prohibited.
1930s
Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects Sims' lives. Business careers are off-limits, and all Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade, regaining them after one week. Prohibition ends, and Sims can have one cooked meal a day; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
Follow World War I rules for World War II. Each household needs a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. All households must have a radio, with at least one Sim listening for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for bad grades, and teens can hold part-time jobs.
1950s
The oldest son goes to the Korean War, following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are now permitted. Listening to the radio isn't mandatory. High school remains mandatory, and phones are allowed for calls.
1960s
The oldest two children of any gender go to the Vietnam War, following the same rules. College majors can be chosen freely. Women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is no longer restricted to trying for a baby.
1970s
The oldest two children of any gender go to the Vietnam War again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery become available.
1980s
Gaming is permitted. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed, and hospital births become the norm.
1990s
Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting becomes available. All 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 permitted.
2010s
Journalism careers are no longer viable due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are allowed. Part-time work, the meat wall, Trendi, and the weather generator become available.
That's everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is highly recommended, you can adapt the challenge to fit any other packs you own or don't own.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
