The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Journey Through Time
The Sims 4 community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience the game across different eras. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the rules and gameplay adjustments needed to successfully navigate this historical simulation.
Challenge Overview:
The core concept involves progressing through decades, with each two in-game days representing a year, starting in 1890. You can customize the starting and ending years to suit your preferences (e.g., 1890-2010 or 1890-2020). Automatic aging is disabled, and life expectancy is adjusted based on historical trends. Sims born before 1950 have shorter lifespans than those born afterward, reflecting the significant increase in life expectancy around that time.
Age Progression:
The initial life stages are consistent regardless of birth year:
- Baby: Ages after 1 day (6 months)
- Infant: Ages after 3 days (2 years)
- Toddler: Ages after 8 days (6 years)
- Child: Ages after 14 days (13 years)
- Teen: Ages after 12 days (19 years)
Adult Age Progression:
- Before 1950:
- Young Adult: Ages after 26 days (32 years)
- Adult: Ages after 36 days (50 years)
- Elder: Dies after approximately 14 days (around 60 years)
- After 1950:
- Young Adult: Ages after 32 days (35 years)
- Adult: Ages after 60 days (65 years)
- Elder: Dies after approximately 56 days (around 90 years)
Gameplay Rules and Setup:
Begin with a single young adult Sim or a married young adult couple. Multi-generational households are permitted, reflecting common historical family structures. Clothing should accurately represent the era.
Housing is restricted: Strangerville is prohibited, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and Sulani is discouraged for realism. Apartments are allowed for single Sims, but marriage necessitates a house move.
Technology usage is period-appropriate. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the relevant decade. Computers are similarly restricted, available only when realistically feasible for work or ordering items. Job choices should align with the historical context.
Decade-Specific Rules (Summary):
For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's complete challenge guidelines. This section provides a concise overview:
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1890s: Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage; no WooHoo, only "try for baby"; home births; period-appropriate jobs; limited technology; elementary school mandatory, high school optional; Cow Plant cultivation begins.
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1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers); other 1890s rules apply; phonographs permitted.
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1910s: WWI draft for male teens, young adults, and adults; Cow Plant cake consumption; high school mandatory (C average required); women can take manual labor jobs.
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1920s: Women can be heirs; no alcohol (Prohibition); talk radio, movies, and various lighting options allowed.
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1930s: Kegs allowed at university; Great Depression restrictions (job loss, limited meals); Prohibition ends.
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1940s: WWII draft (same rules as WWI); victory garden required; thermostats, washers, and dryers allowed; radio listening mandatory.
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1950s: Korean War draft; showers and cheap TVs allowed; phones for calls.
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1960s: Vietnam War draft; college major choice unrestricted; maternity leave; WooHoo allowed.
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1970s: Vietnam War draft; marriage encouraged; microwaves and dishwashers allowed; lottery tickets and food delivery available.
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1980s: Gaming allowed; at least one Sim in a business career; science babies; hospital births.
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1990s: Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV; texting; Y2K shelter construction.
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2000s: Unrestricted computers and phones (except Trendi); home or hospital births; unrestricted music and TV.
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2010s: No print journalism; same-sex marriage allowed; unrestricted part-time work; meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator available.
The Decades Challenge offers a compelling blend of historical simulation and Sims 4 gameplay. While the Eco Lifestyle pack enhances the experience, the challenge can be adapted to suit your available game content.
The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
