Sims 4 Decades Challenge Guide: Tips and Strategies

The *The Sims 4* community is brimming with creativity, and one of the most engaging challenges you can embark on is the Decades Challenge, which lets your Sims live through various historical periods. If you're eager to take your Sims on a journey through time, understanding the Decades Challenge is essential.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

To dive into the Decades Challenge, you'll first need to grasp its rules and mechanics. The premise is to simulate the passage of time, where every two days in-game represents a new year, starting from 1890. Feel free to adjust the timeline to suit your preferences, but typically, the challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 or 2020. With the Blast from the Past event in full swing, now's the perfect time to explore history with your Sims.

Ensure automatic aging is disabled to manually control your Sims' aging. Life expectancy varies over time, so you'll categorize Sims into those born before and after 1950, reflecting historical changes in longevity.

Here's how aging works in the challenge, regardless of the category:

• 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 kick off the challenge, start with a single young adult Sim or a married young adult couple. One Sim can have their parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living common during that era. Dress your Sims in outfits appropriate to their time period for authenticity.

Housing has specific rules: you can't use Strangerville at all, and Del Sol Valley isn't accessible until the 1950s. For the most realistic experience, avoid Sulani too. Singles can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move to a house.

Technology use is restricted to maintain historical accuracy. Phones can be used for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the correct decade. The same goes for computers, which are essential for certain jobs and ordering items.

When choosing jobs, consider what would have been available during the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade within the Decades Challenge introduces unique rules that reflect the era's socio-economic and cultural conditions. For a comprehensive guide, check out Cute Coffee Gal's full challenge rules, but here's a quick overview:

1890s

In the 1890s, only male heirs are permitted. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and sleeping together is only allowed for trying for a baby. Babies are born at home. Men work jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household but can freelance or garden if widowed. No electricity is allowed, and children must attend elementary school, but high school isn't required. University is open to both genders, but majors must be period-appropriate. Start cultivating a Cow Plant this decade.

1900s

Lamps become permissible, and indoor plumbing is introduced, though showers are still off-limits. Jobs and education remain consistent with the previous decade. Phonographs for music are now acceptable, and other rules from the 1890s continue to apply.

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, even numbers return home. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become the heir. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; otherwise, the Sim moves out. Men can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

Women can now be heirs and don't have to move out when married. The Creative trait for daughters is optional. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work more freely, especially if their husbands don't earn enough. Alcohol is banned due to Prohibition.

1930s

Kegs are permitted at university, but the Great Depression means no business careers and all Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade. After one week, they can find new employment. Prohibition ends, and Sims get one cooked meal a day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

Follow World War I rules for World War II. Every household needs a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are now allowed. Each household must have a radio, 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 participates in the Korean War, following previous war rules. Showers and affordable TVs are introduced, and listening to the radio isn't mandatory. High school remains compulsory, and phones are now allowed for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender participate in the Vietnam War. Sims can choose any college major. Women are granted maternity leave, and WooHooing is no longer restricted to trying for a baby.

1970s

The Vietnam War continues to involve the oldest two children. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are introduced, along with lottery tickets and food delivery.

1980s

Gaming becomes permissible, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed, and hospital births are standard.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are introduced. All appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted, and texting is allowed. Families must build a Y2K shelter and stay inside for three days.

2000s

Computer and phone restrictions (except for Trendi) are removed. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital, and all music types and TV channels are available.

2010s

Journalism is no longer viable due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted, and all part-time work is allowed, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator.

That covers the essence of the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack adds depth, you can adapt the challenge to any expansion packs you own or don't own.

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