Embark on a historical journey with The Sims 4 Decades Challenge! This engaging community-created challenge lets your Sims experience life across different eras, from the 1890s to the 2010s. Let's explore the rules and gameplay.
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). You begin with a single young adult Sim or a married couple, optionally including parents for a multi-generational experience. Costumes should reflect the era. Certain locations (Strangerville, Del Sol Valley before the 1950s, and Sulani for realism) are restricted. Apartments are permissible for single Sims, but marriage necessitates a house. Technology use is limited to gameplay necessities; phones, computers, and other devices are introduced as they become historically relevant. Job choices should align with the era.
Life Expectancy Guidelines:
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Pre-1950 Births:
- Baby: Ages after 1 day (6 months)
- Toddler: Ages after 3 days (2 years)
- Child: Ages after 8 days (6 years)
- Teen: Ages after 14 days (13 years)
- Young Adult: Ages after 26 days (32 years)
- Adult: Ages after 36 days (50 years)
- Elder: Dies after ~14 days (around 60 years)
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Post-1950 Births:
- Baby: Ages after 1 day (6 months)
- Toddler: Ages after 3 days (2 years)
- Child: Ages after 8 days (6 years)
- Teen: Ages after 14 days (13 years)
- Young Adult: Ages after 32 days (35 years)
- Adult: Ages after 60 days (65 years)
- Elder: Dies after ~56 days (around 90 years)
Decade-Specific Rules (Summary):
For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a brief overview:
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1890s: Male heirs only; daughters (Creative trait) move out upon marriage; no WooHoo (only trying for baby); home births; period-appropriate jobs; women manage the household (freelancing/gardening allowed if widowed); no electricity; elementary school mandatory; university allowed (period-appropriate majors); start a Cow Plant.
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1900s: Lamps allowed; indoor plumbing (no showers); other 1890s rules apply; phonographs allowed.
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1910s: WWI draft for teen/young adult/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 or relocation); women can take manual labor jobs; university for men post-war.
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1920s: Women can be heirs; no Creative trait requirement for daughters; talk radio, movies, and all lighting allowed; alcohol prohibited; women can work under broader circumstances.
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1930s: Kegs allowed at university; Great Depression (job loss at decade start, new job after one week); one cooked meal daily; other meals scavenged/caught/grown; Prohibition ends.
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1940s: WWII draft (same rules as WWI); victory garden (four+ plants); thermostats, washers, dryers allowed; radio mandatory (one Sim listens for an hour daily); no punishment for bad high school grades; teens can have part-time jobs.
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1950s: Korean War draft (oldest son); showers and cheap TVs allowed; radio listening not mandatory; high school mandatory; phones allowed for calls.
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1960s: Vietnam War draft (oldest two children); any college major; maternity leave allowed; WooHoo allowed.
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1970s: Vietnam War draft (oldest two children); marriage encouraged; microwaves and dishwashers allowed; lottery tickets and food delivery available.
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1980s: Gaming allowed; at least one Sim in a business career; science babies allowed; hospital births preferred.
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1990s: Laptops allowed; unrestricted TV; texting allowed; Y2K shelter (three-day stay).
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2000s: Unrestricted computers and phones (except Trendi); home or hospital births; all music and TV allowed.
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2010s: No journalism (print media defunct); same-sex marriage allowed; all part-time work allowed; meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator allowed.
The Sims 4 Decades Challenge offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience, blending historical context with the familiar Sims gameplay. While the Eco Lifestyle pack is beneficial, the challenge can be adapted to suit your existing game content.
The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
