Challenge: Embrace Decades in Sims 4

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Journey Through Time

The Sims 4 community thrives on creative challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience the game through different eras. This guide explains the rules and how to navigate this historical simulation.

Challenge Overview:

The challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 (or 2020, depending on your preference), with each two in-game days representing a year. Automatic aging is disabled, and life expectancy is adjusted based on historical data: Sims born before 1950 have shorter lifespans than those born afterward, reflecting the significant increase in life expectancy around that time. Age progression follows specific guidelines for each life stage (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, elder). Detailed age progression is provided in the original article.

You begin with a single young adult Sim or a married couple, optionally including parents to reflect multi-generational households common in earlier eras. Clothing and household items should reflect the appropriate decade.

Housing and Technology Restrictions:

Strangerville and Del Sol Valley are off-limits until the 1950s, and Sulani is restricted for maximum realism. Apartments are permissible for single Sims, but marriage necessitates moving to a house. Phones are allowed for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the relevant decade. The same applies to computers. Job choices should align with the available professions of each era.

Decade-Specific Rules:

The challenge presents unique rules for each decade, adding layers of complexity and historical accuracy. (For detailed rules for each decade, refer to the original article and Cute Coffee Gal's complete ruleset). Here's a summary:

• 1890s: Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage; no WooHoo, only "try for baby"; home births; period-appropriate jobs for men, housework for women (unless widowed); no electricity; elementary school mandatory, high school optional; university allowed with period-appropriate majors; start growing a Cow Plant.

• 1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers); other 1890s rules remain.

• 1910s: World War I draft for male teens, young adults, and adults; Cow Plant cake consumption; dice roll determines further cake consumption or return home; oldest female and her husband become heirs if all males die; high school mandatory (C average or higher); manual labor jobs for women; university for men after war.

• 1920s: Women can be heirs; no Creative trait requirement for daughters; talk radio, movies, and all lighting options allowed; women can work under more circumstances; no alcohol (Prohibition).

• 1930s: Kegs allowed at university; Great Depression (job loss at the start, new jobs after a week); one cooked meal daily, other meals scavenged, caught, or grown; Prohibition ends.

• 1940s: World War II draft (same rules as WWI); victory garden required; thermostats, washers, and dryers allowed; radio required; teens can hold part-time jobs.

• 1950s: Korean War draft for oldest son; showers and cheap TVs allowed; high school mandatory; phones allowed for calls.

• 1960s: Vietnam War draft for oldest two children; any college major allowed; maternity leave for women; WooHoo allowed.

• 1970s: Vietnam War draft (same rules); marriage encouraged but not required; microwaves and dishwashers allowed; lottery tickets and food delivery available.

• 1980s: Gaming allowed; at least one Sim must pursue a business career; science babies allowed; hospital births.

• 1990s: Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV; texting allowed; Y2K shelter construction and three-day stay required.

• 2000s: Computer and phone restrictions lifted (except Trendi); home or hospital births; unrestricted music and TV.

• 2010s: No journalism; same-sex marriage allowed; all part-time work allowed; meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator available.

The Decades Challenge offers a rich and engaging experience, combining gameplay with a historical narrative. While the Eco Lifestyle pack enhances the experience, you can adapt the challenge to your existing game content.

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