How To Do The Sims 4 Decades Challenge

The Sims 4 community thrives on creative challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience the game through different eras. This challenge simulates life across various decades, starting in 1890 and progressing in two-day increments (each two days representing a year). You can customize the end year, choosing either 2010 or 2020. The Blast from the Past event makes this a particularly fitting time to embark on this historical journey.

Remember to disable automatic aging and utilize the provided life expectancy guidelines. Life expectancy is divided into two categories: Sims born before 1950 and those born after 1950, reflecting historical changes in lifespan. Early life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen) age according to a consistent schedule regardless of birth year.

Age Progression:

• 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 Sims (born before 1950):

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

Adult Sims (born after 1950):

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

Begin the challenge with a single young adult Sim (or a married couple). Multi-generational households are permitted, reflecting common historical living arrangements. Strive for historically accurate clothing and hairstyles for each decade. Housing options are limited; Strangerville and Del Sol Valley are unavailable until the 1950s, and Sulani is generally excluded for realism. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a house. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions, but entertainment and communication via phones and computers should align with their historical availability.

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

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: Decade-Specific Rules

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

1890s:

Male heirs only. Daughters with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage. WooHoo is prohibited; 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 (freelancing, gardening) if widowed. No electricity. Elementary school is mandatory; high school is optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.

1900s:

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

1910s:

Male teens, young adults, and adults are drafted for WWI. They must eat Cow Plant cake; roll a die for each drafted male—odd numbers eat again, even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is mandatory (C average required). Men can attend university post-war; women can pursue 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 broader work options. Alcohol is prohibited.

1930s:

Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression is in effect—Sims cannot pursue business careers, and all lose their jobs initially, finding new ones after one week. One cooked meal per day; other meals 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. All households need a radio; at least one Sim must listen for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't penalized for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s:

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

1960s:

The oldest two children (any gender) are drafted for the Vietnam War. Sims can choose any college major. Women have maternity leave. WooHoo is allowed.

1970s:

The oldest two children (any gender) are drafted for the Vietnam War. 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; 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 stay for three days.

2000s:

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

2010s:

Journalism (print media) is prohibited. Same-sex marriage is allowed. All part-time work is allowed, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge offers a fun and engaging way to experience the game's depth. While the Eco Lifestyle pack is helpful, you can adapt the challenge to your existing game content. Enjoy!

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