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 afterward. Begin with a single young adult Sim or a married couple, optionally including parents to reflect multi-generational households common in earlier eras. Costumes should reflect the fashion of each decade.
Housing is restricted: Strangerville and Del Sol Valley are off-limits until the 1950s, and Sulani is generally excluded for maximum realism. Apartments are permitted for single Sims, but marriage necessitates a house. Technology usage is period-appropriate: phones are allowed for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until their respective decades. The same applies to computers and their associated jobs and activities. Job choices should align with the historical context of each decade.
Decade-Specific Rules and Challenges:
For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a summary of each decade's unique aspects:
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1890s: Male heirs only; daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage. No WooHoo; only "try for baby" allowed. Home births. Men work period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking). Women manage the household, with limited job options if widowed. No electricity. Elementary school is mandatory; high school optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.
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1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing but no showers. Jobs and education remain largely the same as the 1890s. Phonographs are permitted for music. Other 1890s rules apply.
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1910s: Male teens, young adults, and adults are drafted for WWI; they must eat Cow Plant cake (additional cake consumption determined by dice roll). If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become heirs. High school becomes mandatory (C average required). Women can take manual labor jobs.
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1920s: Female heirs are allowed; daughters no longer need the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are permitted. Women can work under broader circumstances. Prohibition is in effect (no alcohol).
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1930s: Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression is simulated: Sims lose their jobs initially, regaining them after a week. Prohibition ends. One cooked meal per day; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown.
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1940s: WWII draft (same rules as WWI). Victory gardens (four or more plants) are required. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. Radios are mandatory (one Sim must listen for an hour daily). High schoolers are not expelled for poor grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.
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1950s: Korean War draft (same rules as previous wars). Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.
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1960s: Vietnam War draft (oldest two children of any gender). College majors are unrestricted. Maternity leave is allowed. WooHoo is unrestricted.
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1970s: Vietnam War draft (same rules). Marriage is encouraged but not mandatory. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery become available.
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1980s: Gaming is allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed; hospital births are preferred.
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1990s: Laptops are allowed; TV watching is unrestricted. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is allowed. Families must build a Y2K shelter and remain there for three days.
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2000s: Computer and phone restrictions (except Trendi) are lifted. Home or hospital births are allowed. All music and TV are unrestricted.
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2010s: Journalism (print media) is disallowed. Same-sex marriage is allowed. All part-time work is allowed, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. While the Eco Lifestyle pack is recommended, the challenge can be adapted to suit your existing game content. Enjoy your journey through the decades!
The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
