How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

The *Sims 4* community thrives on creative challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience your Sims' lives across different eras. This challenge simulates the passage of time, with every two in-game days representing a new year, starting in 1890. You can, however, adjust the starting and ending years to personalize your playthrough. This accelerated timeline means days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on, continuing until you reach your chosen end date (2010 or 2020 are popular choices). With the Blast from the Past event underway, it's the perfect time to embark on this historical journey!

Before you begin, remember to disable automatic aging. Life expectancy is a key element; Sims born before 1950 will have a shorter lifespan than those born afterward, reflecting historical trends. The early life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen) age up at the same rate regardless of birth year.

Life Expectancy Guidelines:

• All Sims: Baby (1 day/6 months), Infant (3 days/2 years), Toddler (8 days/6 years), Child (14 days/13 years), Teen (12 days/19 years)
• Sims born before 1950: Young Adult (26 days/32 years), Adult (36 days/50 years), Elder (dies after ~14 days/~60 years)
• Sims born after 1950: Young Adult (32 days/35 years), Adult (60 days/65 years), Elder (dies after ~56 days/~90 years)

You start with a single young adult Sim (or a married couple), optionally including their parents to reflect multi-generational households common in earlier eras. Strive for historically accurate attire for each decade. Housing is restricted: Strangerville is off-limits, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and for maximum realism, Sulani is also excluded. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a house.

Technology use is carefully controlled. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. Similarly, computers are allowed for job requirements and ordering items like books and seeds. Job choices should reflect the available professions of each era.

Related: Where To Find Plathinum & Ironyum in The Sims 4 Blast From the Past Event

Each decade presents unique challenges. For detailed rules, consult Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a summary:

Decade-Specific Rules:

1890s:

Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage; no WooHoo, only trying for a baby; home births; men in period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking); women manage the household (freelancing or gardening allowed if widowed); no electricity; elementary school mandatory, high school optional; university allowed with period-appropriate majors; begin growing a Cow Plant.

1900s:

Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers); other 1890s rules apply; phonographs allowed.

1910s:

Male teens, young adults, and adults drafted for WWI (eat Cow Plant cake; odd dice roll = eat again, even = go home); oldest female and her husband become heirs if all males die; high school mandatory (C average or higher); women can take manual labor jobs; men can attend university after war.

1920s:

Women can be heirs; daughters don't need the Creative trait; talk radio, movies, and all lighting options allowed; women can work under more circumstances; no alcohol (Prohibition).

1930s:

Kegs allowed at university; Great Depression (no business careers; all Sims lose jobs initially, then find new ones after one week); Prohibition ends; one cooked meal daily, others scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s:

WWI draft rules apply (WWII); victory garden with four or more plants; thermostats, washers, and dryers allowed; radio mandatory (one Sim listens for an hour daily); no punishment for bad high school grades; teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s:

Oldest son drafted for Korean War (following previous war rules); showers and cheap TVs allowed; radio listening not mandatory; high school mandatory; phones allowed for calls.

1960s:

Oldest two children (any gender) drafted for Vietnam War; any college major allowed; maternity leave allowed; WooHoo allowed.

1970s:

Vietnam War draft rules apply again; marriage encouraged but not required; microwaves and dishwashers allowed; lottery tickets and food delivery available.

1980s:

Gaming allowed; at least one Sim in a business career; science babies allowed; hospital births.

1990s:

Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV watching; no appliance or furniture restrictions; texting allowed; Y2K shelter (stay for three days).

2000s:

Computer and phone restrictions lifted (except Trendi); home or hospital births; all music and TV allowed.

2010s:

No journalism (print media dying); same-sex marriage allowed; all part-time work allowed; meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator allowed.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge offers a compelling blend of historical simulation and gameplay. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is helpful, you can adapt the challenge to suit your existing game content.

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