Embark on a nostalgic journey through time with The Sims 4 Decades Challenge! This comprehensive guide outlines the rules and intricacies of this engaging community-created challenge, allowing your Sims to experience life across different eras.
Challenge Overview and Rules:
The Decades Challenge spans from 1890 to 2010 (or 2020, at your discretion), with each two in-game days representing a year. Automatic aging is disabled, and lifespan is adjusted based on historical life expectancy: Sims born before 1950 have shorter lifespans than those born after. Begin with a single young adult Sim or a married young adult couple. Multi-generational households are permitted, reflecting historical norms. Costumes and household items should accurately represent each decade. Certain locations (Strangerville, Del Sol Valley before the 1950s, and Sulani) are restricted for enhanced realism. Technology use is limited to specific decades to maintain historical accuracy. Job choices should align with the era.
Decade-Specific Rules and Difficulties:
For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a summary of each decade's unique challenges:
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1890s: Male heirs only; female Sims with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage; no WooHoo, only "try for baby"; home births; period-appropriate male jobs (e.g., woodworking); female Sims primarily homemakers (freelancing or gardening allowed if widowed); no electricity; elementary school mandatory, high school optional; university allowed with period-appropriate majors; cultivate a Cow Plant.
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1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers); other 1890s rules apply; phonographs permitted.
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1910s: Male teens, young adults, and adults drafted for WWI; all drafted males must eat Cow Plant cake (dice roll determines if they eat it again); oldest female and her husband become heirs if all males perish; high school mandatory (C average required); women can take manual labor jobs; university for men post-war.
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1920s: Female heirs allowed; no creative trait requirement for daughters; talk radio, movies, and all lighting options allowed; women can work under broader circumstances; no alcohol (Prohibition).
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1930s: Kegs allowed at university; Great Depression simulation (job loss at the start, new jobs after a week); one cooked meal daily, others scavenged/grown/caught; Prohibition ends.
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1940s: WWI draft rules apply to WWII; victory garden with four or more plants required; thermostats, washers, and dryers allowed; radio mandatory (one Sim must listen for an hour daily); no punishment for bad high school grades; teens can have part-time jobs.
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1950s: Oldest son drafted for the Korean War (following previous war rules); showers and cheap TVs allowed; radio listening not mandatory; high school mandatory; phones allowed for calls.
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1960s: Oldest two children (any gender) drafted for the Vietnam War; any college major allowed; maternity leave for women; WooHoo allowed.
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1970s: Oldest two children (any gender) drafted for the Vietnam War; marriage encouraged but not mandatory; microwaves and dishwashers allowed; lottery tickets and food delivery available.
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1980s: Gaming allowed; at least one Sim must pursue a business career; science babies allowed; hospital births preferred.
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1990s: Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV watching; appliance and furniture restrictions lifted; texting allowed; Y2K shelter construction and three-day confinement required.
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2000s: Computer and phone restrictions lifted (except Trendi); home or hospital births allowed; all music and TV channels allowed.
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2010s: No journalism careers; same-sex marriage allowed; all part-time jobs allowed; meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator available.
The Decades Challenge offers a unique and engaging Sims 4 experience. While the Eco Lifestyle pack is beneficial, the challenge can be adapted to suit your existing game content. Enjoy your historical adventure!
The Sims 4 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
