"Mastering The Sims 4 Decades Challenge: A Guide"

The *The Sims 4* community is vibrant and constantly looking for ways to enhance gameplay through unique challenges. One of the most intriguing is the Decades Challenge, which lets your Sims live through various historical periods. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to engage in this immersive experience.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Image via EA

To embark on the Decades Challenge, familiarize yourself with its rules and how it works. Every two in-game days represents a new year, starting from 1890. You have the flexibility to adjust the timeline to personalize your challenge. For instance, days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so forth until you reach 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, it's an ideal time to delve into this historical journey.

Ensure that automatic aging is disabled, and follow specific life expectancy guidelines. Since life expectancy varies over time, categorize Sims into those born before 1950 and after. This reflects the significant increase in life expectancy around 1950.

The initial life stages remain consistent for all Sims:

• 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)

For Sims born before 1950, the aging guidelines are:

• 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)

For those born after 1950, the aging guidelines shift to:

• 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)

To start the challenge, you can begin with a single young adult or a married couple. One Sim can have their parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living. Dress your Sims in outfits appropriate for the time period to enhance realism.

Housing restrictions include not using Strangerville and avoiding Del Sol Valley until the 1950s. For maximum realism, Sulani is also off-limits. Single Sims can live in apartments, but must move to a house upon marriage.

Technology usage is limited; phones and computers can be used for essential gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. Choose jobs that fit the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Image via EA

Each decade in the Decades Challenge brings its own set of unique rules. For a detailed understanding, refer to Cute Coffee Gal’s comprehensive challenge rules. Here's a brief overview:

1890s

Only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must take the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and Sims can only sleep together to try for a baby. Home births are mandatory. Men work period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household, with the option to freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not permitted. Children must attend elementary school, but high school isn't required. University education is available for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start cultivating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps and indoor plumbing are now allowed, though showers are not. Jobs and education rules remain unchanged. Phonographs can be used for music. Other 1890s rules continue to apply.

1910s

Males are drafted for World War I and must eat Cow Plant cake. Roll a dice for each drafted male; odd numbers eat the cake again, while even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; failing Sims must move out. Male Sims can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

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

1930s

Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression affects job availability; Sims lose their jobs at the decade's start and can seek new employment after a week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal daily, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

Follow World War I rules for World War II. Each household must have a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are permitted. A radio is required, with at least one Sim listening for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't expelled for poor grades, and teens can work part-time.

1950s

The oldest son participates in the Korean War using previous war rules. Showers and budget TVs are allowed. Radio listening isn't mandatory. High school is required, and phones can be used for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender participate in the Vietnam War. College majors are unrestricted. Women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is now allowed without restrictions.

1970s

The Vietnam War rules apply again. Marriage isn't mandatory but is encouraged. Microwaves and dishwashers are introduced. Lottery tickets and food delivery become available.

1980s

Gaming is permitted. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are allowed, and hospital births are standard.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting becomes permissible. Families must build a Y2K shelter and stay in it for three days.

2000s

Computer and phone restrictions are removed, except for Trendi. Babies can be born at home or in the hospital. All music and TV channels are available.

2010s

Journalism is not allowed due to declining print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time jobs and modern amenities like the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generators are allowed.

That sums up the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack enhances the experience, you can adapt the challenge to suit any packs you own or don't own.

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