How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

The Sims 4 community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge is a fantastic way to experience your Sims' lives across different eras. This challenge simulates the passage of time, with every two in-game days representing a year, starting in 1890. You can adjust the starting and ending years to personalize the experience. The challenge spans from the late 19th century to the 2010s, offering a rich historical journey for your Sims.

Before you begin, remember to disable automatic aging. Life expectancy varies throughout history, so the challenge uses two categories: Sims born before and after 1950, reflecting the significant increase in lifespan around that time. The early life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen) age up at the same rate regardless of birth year.

Age Progression Guidelines:

• Baby: Ages after 1 day (6 months old)
• Infant: Ages after 3 days (2 years old)
• Toddler: Ages after 8 days (6 years old)
• Child: Ages after 14 days (13 years old)
• Teen: Ages after 12 days (19 years old)
• Adult (born before 1950): Young Adult after 26 days (32 years old), Adult after 36 days (50 years old), Elder after 14 days (around 60 years old).
• Adult (born after 1950): Young Adult after 32 days (35 years old), Adult after 60 days (65 years old), Elder after 56 days (around 90 years old).

Start the challenge with a single young adult Sim, or a married couple. Multi-generational households are allowed, reflecting common historical living arrangements. Strive for historically accurate clothing and hairstyles for each decade. Housing options are limited: Strangerville is off-limits, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and Sulani is discouraged for maximum realism. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a house.

Technology use is restricted to reflect historical availability. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers. Job choices should align with the available occupations of each era.

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

Decade-Specific Rules: Each decade presents unique challenges and restrictions. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal’s comprehensive guide. Below is a brief overview:

1890s:

Male heirs only. Daughters with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage. No WooHoo; only trying for a baby is 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, but high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.

1900s:

Lamps allowed. Indoor plumbing (no showers). Job and education rules remain the same. Phonographs are allowed. Other 1890s rules apply.

1910s:

Male teens, young adults, and adults are drafted for WWI. They must eat Cow Plant cake; odd dice rolls result in another cake serving, even rolls mean they return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heir. High school is mandatory (C average required). Men can attend university post-war. Women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s:

Women can be heirs and don't need to move out upon marriage. Daughters don't need the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women have more work opportunities. No alcohol (Prohibition).

1930s:

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

1940s:

WWI draft rules apply to WWII. All households need a victory garden (four or more plants). Thermostats, washers, and dryers are allowed. A radio is required, with at least one Sim listening for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't sent away for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s:

Oldest son goes to war (Korean War), following previous war rules. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening isn't required. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.

1960s:

Oldest two children (any gender) go to war (Vietnam War). Any college major is allowed. Women get maternity leave. WooHoo is allowed.

1970s:

Vietnam War rules apply again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are allowed. Lottery tickets and food delivery are available.

1980s:

Gaming is allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed; hospital births are preferred.

1990s:

Laptops are allowed. TV watching isn't restricted. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is allowed. Families must build a Y2K shelter and stay 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 isn't 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 enhances the experience, you can adapt the challenge to suit your available packs. Enjoy your historical Simming journey!

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