The Decades Challenge: A Journey Through Time in The Sims 4

Embark on a historical journey with the Sims 4 Decades Challenge! This engaging community-created challenge lets your Sims experience life across different eras, adding a unique layer of complexity to the game. This guide outlines the rules and difficulties of each decade.

Challenge Overview and Rules:

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 varies based on birth year (pre-1950 and post-1950). Begin with a single young adult Sim or a married couple. Parents may also be included in the household. Costumes should reflect the era. Specific locations are restricted (Strangerville, Del Sol Valley before the 1950s, and Sulani for realism). Apartments are allowed for single Sims, but marriage necessitates a house. Technology use is limited to gameplay necessities, reflecting historical accuracy. Job choices should also align with the era.

Decade-Specific Difficulties:

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

• 1890s: Male heirs only; daughters (with the Creative trait) move out upon marriage; no WooHoo, only "try for baby"; home births; period-appropriate male jobs (e.g., woodworking); women focus on household duties (with exceptions for widows); no electricity; elementary school mandatory, high school optional; university allowed with relevant majors; start a Cow Plant.

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

• 1910s: WWI draft for teen, young adult, and adult males; Cow Plant cake consumption (dice roll determines additional consumption or return home); oldest female and her husband become heirs if all males perish; high school mandatory (C average required); women can have manual labor jobs; male university attendance post-war.

• 1920s: Female heirs allowed; daughters don't need the Creative trait; talk radio, movies, and all lighting options allowed; women can work under broader circumstances; no alcohol (Prohibition).

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

• 1940s: WWII draft (same rules as WWI); 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: Korean War draft (oldest son); showers and cheap TVs allowed; radio listening not mandatory; high school mandatory; phones allowed for calls.

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

• 1970s: Vietnam War draft (oldest two children); marriage encouraged, not mandatory; 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 watching; no appliance/furniture restrictions; texting allowed; Y2K shelter construction (three-day stay).

• 2000s: No computer or phone restrictions (except Trendi); home or hospital births; all music and TV allowed.

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

The Decades Challenge offers a unique and rewarding Sims 4 experience. While the Eco Lifestyle pack enhances the challenge, it's adaptable to various pack combinations. Enjoy your historical Sims journey!

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