If you're a fan of *The Sims 4* and looking to add a historical twist to your gameplay, the Decades Challenge is the perfect way to experience life through different time periods. This challenge simulates living through various decades, from 1890 to the 2010s, offering a unique and immersive experience. Let's dive into how you can embark on this journey through history.
Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4
Image via EA
First, familiarize yourself with the rules and the overall framework of the Decades Challenge. The challenge operates on the principle that every two days in-game represents a new year, starting from 1890. You can customize the years to suit your preference, but typically, the challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 or 2020. This day-to-year system means that days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on.
Ensure that automatic aging is disabled, and use specific guides for life expectancy to reflect historical changes. Sims are categorized into those born before 1950 and those born after, due to significant changes in life expectancy around that time. The aging milestones for the challenge are as follows:
- 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 start the challenge, you can either begin with a single young adult Sim who gets married or start with a young adult couple. It's also permissible to include one Sim's parents in the household, reflecting the multi-generational living common in earlier times. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the historical feel.
Housing rules are strict: Strangerville is off-limits entirely, and Del Sol Valley isn't available until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid Sulani as well. Single Sims can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move into a house.
Regarding technology, use phones only for gameplay elements until the appropriate decade, not for entertainment or communication. The same applies to computers, which are necessary for certain jobs and ordering items. Choose jobs based on what would have been available during the time period your Sims are living in.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties
Image via EA
Each decade of the Decades Challenge comes with its own set of rules, adding layers of difficulty and historical accuracy. For a detailed breakdown, you can refer to Cute Coffee Gal’s full challenge rules, but here’s a brief overview:
1890s
Only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out when married. WooHooing is forbidden, and Sims can only sleep together to try for a baby. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs, such as woodworking from home, while women manage the household, though widowed women can take up freelancing or gardening. No electricity is allowed, and kids must attend elementary school, but high school isn't required. University is available for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant this decade.
1900s
Lamps are now permitted, and you have indoor plumbing, though no showers. Jobs and education remain unchanged from the 1890s, but phonographs for music are acceptable.
1910s
Teen, Young Adult, and Adult males are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake. Roll a dice for each drafted male; 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 mandatory with a C average; otherwise, the Sim must move to a new house. Men can attend university after the war, and women can take manual labor jobs.
1920s
Women can now be heirs and don't need to move out when married. The Creative trait is no longer required for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work if their husbands don't earn enough, but alcohol is banned due to Prohibition.
1930s
Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects Sims: they lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can only get a new job after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal a day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
World War II rules mirror those of World War I. Every household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are permitted, and a radio is required, with at least 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 using the same rules. Showers and affordable TVs are allowed, and listening to the radio isn't mandatory. High school is required, and phones are now allowed 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 oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War again. Marriage isn't required but encouraged. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed, along with lottery tickets and food delivery.
1980s
Gaming is permitted, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies and hospital births are allowed.
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, and all music and TV channels are allowed.
2010s
Journalism is not allowed due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted, and all part-time work, along with the meat wall, trendi, and weather generator, are available.
And that's all you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is beneficial, you can adjust the challenge to fit any packs you own or don't own.
*The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
