"Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Step-by-Step Guide"

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 not only keeps the game fresh but also adds a layer of difficulty that can make your Sims' lives more engaging and realistic.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Image via EA

To embark on this journey, you'll need to understand the rules and how the challenge works. The core concept is that every two days represents a new year, starting from 1890. You can adjust the years to personalize the challenge, but the standard progression is as follows: days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on, up until 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, it's an ideal time to dive into this historical adventure.

Ensure that automatic aging is turned off, and use the following life expectancy guidelines to reflect historical changes. Sims are categorized into those born before 1950 and those born after, due to significant shifts in life expectancy around that time.

The first life stages are consistent across both categories:

• 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 historical immersion.

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

Technology usage is also regulated. Phones can be used for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, which are necessary for certain jobs and ordering items. Choose jobs based on their historical availability during the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Image via EA

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

1890s

In the 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 Sims can sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household but can freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not allowed, and kids must attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University is available for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps are now permitted, and indoor plumbing is introduced, though showers are not. Jobs and education rules remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other rules from the previous decade still 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, while even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; otherwise, the Sim must move out. Male Sims can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

Women can now be heirs and don't need to move out upon marriage. The Creative trait is no longer mandatory for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work under more circumstances, especially 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 can't join business careers and lose their jobs at the start of the decade, regaining them after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal a day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

Follow World War I rules for World War II. Each household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed, 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, following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are permitted, and radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school remains mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War. Sims can choose any college major, and women are allowed maternity leave. WooHooing is now unrestricted.

1970s

The oldest two children of any gender go to war in the Vietnam War again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. 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 are allowed, and babies should be born at the hospital.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted, and texting is permitted. 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, and all music types 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.

That's everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is highly beneficial, you can adapt the challenge to suit any other packs you own or don't own.

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