Sims 4 Decades Challenge Guide: Step-by-Step

The *The Sims 4* community thrives on creativity and challenge, and one of the most engaging ways to experience the game is through the Decades Challenge. This challenge allows your Sims to live through different historical periods, starting from 1890 and progressing to 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, it's the perfect time to dive into this historical journey.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Understanding the rules is crucial for the Decades Challenge. Each two days in the game represents a new year, beginning in 1890. You can adjust the years to personalize the challenge. For example, days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on. To ensure historical accuracy, turn off automatic aging and use specific life expectancy guidelines. Sims born before 1950 and after 1950 have different aging milestones due to changes in life expectancy over time.

Here are the aging guidelines:

• 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 begin with a single young adult or a married couple of young adults. One Sim can have their parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the experience.

Housing rules include restrictions on certain worlds: Strangerville is off-limits entirely, and Del Sol Valley isn't available until the 1950s. For realism, avoid using Sulani. Single Sims can live in apartments, but must move to a house upon marriage.

Technology use is also regulated. Phones and computers can be used for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. Choose jobs that fit the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade in the Decades Challenge comes with its own set of rules, adding unique challenges and historical context. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal’s full challenge guidelines. Here's a brief overview:

1890s

Only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only reason for Sims to sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household but can work if widowed. No electricity is allowed, and kids must attend elementary school, but high school isn't required. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps and indoor plumbing are now allowed, but no showers. Jobs and education remain the same as the 1890s. 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, even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heir. High school is mandatory with a C average; otherwise, the Sim moves out. Men can attend university after war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

Women can be heirs and don't need to move out when married. 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. Alcohol is prohibited due to Prohibition.

1930s

Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can find new ones after a week. 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. Households need a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. A radio is required, and at least one Sim must listen for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for bad grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s

The oldest son goes to the Korean War following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. High school is mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender go to the Vietnam War. Any college major is allowed, and women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is no longer restricted to trying for a baby.

1970s

The oldest two children go to the Vietnam War again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves, dishwashers, lottery tickets, and food delivery are now available.

1980s

Gaming is allowed, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are permitted, and babies should be born at the hospital.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is permitted, and 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 allowed.

2010s

Journalism with print media is not allowed. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time work, the meat wall, Trendi, and the weather generator are allowed.

That's everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is essential, you can adapt the challenge to fit any other packs you own. *The Sims 4* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.