How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

The *Sims 4* community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience life across different eras. This challenge transports your Sims through time, starting in 1890 and progressing in two-day increments, each representing a year. You can customize the end year, choosing either 2010 or 2020, tailoring the challenge to your preference. The current Blast from the Past event makes this a particularly fitting time to embark on this historical journey.

Before you begin, remember to disable automatic aging and utilize the provided life expectancy guidelines. Life expectancy varies significantly throughout history; the challenge reflects this by dividing Sims into two groups: those born before 1950 and those born after. This accounts for the dramatic increase in life expectancy around the mid-20th century.

Early life stages (Baby, Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen) age up at the same rate regardless of birth year. However, adult life stages differ:

Sims born before 1950:

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

Sims born after 1950:

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

To start, you'll need a single young adult Sim, or a married young adult couple. Multi-generational households are allowed, reflecting common living arrangements of the time. Strive for historically accurate outfits to enhance the immersive experience.

Housing options are limited for realism: Strangerville is off-limits, Del Sol Valley is unavailable until the 1950s, and Sulani is discouraged. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a move to a house.

Technology use is restricted to reflect historical accuracy. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, needed for specific jobs and online ordering.

Job choices should align with the available professions of each era. Use your best judgment to maintain historical authenticity.

Related: Where To Find Plathinum & Ironyum in The Sims 4 Blast From the Past Event

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: Decade-Specific Rules

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

1890s:

Male heirs only. Daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage. WooHoo is forbidden; only "try for baby" interactions are allowed. Home births. Men work period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking). Women manage the household, with limited job options (freelancing, gardening) if widowed. No electricity. Elementary school is mandatory; high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin cultivating a Cow Plant.

1900s:

Lamps allowed. Indoor plumbing (no showers). Jobs and education remain similar to the 1890s. Phonographs are permitted for music. Other 1890s rules apply.

1910s:

Teen, Young Adult, and Adult males are drafted for World War I. They must eat Cow Plant cake; roll a die for each drafted male Sim—odd numbers eat the cake again, even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is mandatory (C average or higher). Male Sims can attend university post-war; women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s:

Female heirs are allowed; daughters don't need to move out upon marriage. Creative trait is optional for daughters. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are permitted. Women can work under broader circumstances. Alcohol is prohibited.

1930s:

Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression is in effect—Sims cannot join business careers, and all lose their jobs at the decade's start, regaining employment after one week. One cooked meal per day; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown. Prohibition ends.

1940s:

World War II draft rules mirror World War I. All households need a victory garden (four or more plants). Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. A radio is required; at least one Sim must listen for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't punished for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s:

The oldest son is drafted for the Korean War (same rules as previous wars). Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening is not mandatory. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.

1960s:

The oldest two children (any gender) are drafted for the Vietnam War (same rules). Sims can choose any college major. Maternity leave is allowed for women. WooHoo is permitted.

1970s:

The oldest two children (any gender) are drafted for the Vietnam War (same rules). Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery are available.

1980s:

Video games are allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed; babies should be born in the hospital.

1990s:

Laptops are allowed; TV watching is unrestricted. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is allowed. All families must build a Y2K shelter and remain there for three days.

2000s:

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

2010s:

Journalism (print media) is not allowed. Same-sex marriage is allowed. All part-time work is allowed, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator.

This comprehensive guide covers the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is beneficial, you can adapt the challenge to suit your existing game packs.

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