"Sims 4 Decades Challenge: Step-by-Step Guide"

The *The Sims 4* community thrives on creativity and challenge, and one of the most immersive experiences you can dive into is the Decades Challenge. This challenge allows your Sims to live through different historical periods, starting from 1890 and progressing year by year, every two in-game days. Whether you choose to end the journey in 2010 or 2020, the Decades Challenge promises a rich, evolving gameplay experience, especially fitting during the Blast from the Past event.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

To embark on this historical journey, familiarize yourself with the challenge's rules. Start by turning off automatic aging and using specific life expectancy guidelines to reflect historical changes. Sims born before 1950 follow one set of aging rules, while those born after follow another, mirroring the increase in life expectancy around that time.

For all Sims, the initial life stages remain consistent:

• Baby: Age after 1 day (6 months old)
• Infant: Age after 3 days (2 years old)
• Toddler: Age after 8 days (6 years old)
• Child: Age after 14 days (13 years old)
• Teen: Age after 12 days (19 years old)

For Sims born before 1950:

• Young Adult: Age after 26 days (32 years old)
• Adult: Age after 36 days (50 years old)
• Elder: Dies after about 14 days (around 60 years old)

For Sims born after 1950:

• Young Adult: Age after 32 days (35 years old)
• Adult: Age after 60 days (65 years old)
• Elder: Dies after about 56 days (around 90 years old)

To begin the challenge, you can start with a single young adult or a young adult couple. You can also include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect the common practice of multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in period-appropriate outfits to enhance the historical immersion.

Housing rules add another layer of realism. You cannot use Strangerville at all, and Del Sol Valley becomes available only in the 1950s. For maximum authenticity, avoid using Sulani. Singles can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move to a house.

Technology usage is restricted to reflect historical accuracy. Phones and computers are allowed for essential gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. When choosing jobs, consider their availability during the time period your Sims are living in.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade of the Decades Challenge brings its own set of unique rules and challenges. Here's a brief overview of how each decade plays out:

1890s

In this era, only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must adopt the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only acceptable reason for Sims to sleep together. Babies are born at home. Men work jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household or freelance if widowed. Electricity is not permitted, and children must attend elementary school, though high school is optional. University education is allowed for both genders, focusing on period-appropriate majors. Begin cultivating a Cow Plant during this time.

1900s

Lamps are now permitted, and indoor plumbing is introduced, though showers are still not allowed. Jobs and education remain unchanged from the 1890s. Phonographs can be used for music, but other rules from the previous decade still apply.

1910s

This decade sees male Sims drafted into World War I, requiring them to eat Cow Plant cake and roll dice to determine their fate. High school becomes mandatory, and male Sims can attend university after war service. Women can take manual labor jobs, and the oldest female in the household becomes the heir if all males perish.

1920s

Women can now be heirs and don't need to move out upon marriage. The Creative trait for daughters is no longer mandatory. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are permitted. Women can work if their husbands' income is insufficient. Alcohol is prohibited due to Prohibition.

1930s

Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression impacts job availability. Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can only get new ones after a week. Prohibition ends, and meals are limited to one cooked meal per day, with the rest scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

World War II rules are similar to World War I. Households must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are introduced, and a radio must be listened to for an hour daily. High schoolers are no longer sent away for bad grades, and teens can work part-time.

1950s

The oldest son goes to the Korean War. Showers and affordable TVs are now allowed, and high school becomes mandatory. Phones are permitted for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children participate in the Vietnam War. College majors are unrestricted, and women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is no longer restricted to baby-making.

1970s

The Vietnam War continues to affect the oldest two children. Marriage is encouraged but not mandatory. Microwaves, dishwashers, lottery tickets, and food delivery become available.

1980s

Gaming is now allowed, and at least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are permitted, and hospital births are the norm.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are introduced. All families must build a Y2K shelter and stay in it for three days.

2000s

Computer and phone restrictions, except for Trendi, are lifted. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital, and all music and TV channels are allowed.

2010s

Journalism is no longer an option due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted, and all part-time work, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, are allowed.

The Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4* offers a dynamic and engaging way to experience the game, with the *Eco Lifestyle* pack being particularly useful, though the challenge can be adapted to any pack you have. Dive into this historical journey and watch your Sims navigate the changing times.

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