The *Sims 4* community thrives on creative challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience your Sims' lives across different eras. This challenge simulates the passage of time, with every two in-game days representing a new year, starting in 1890. You can adjust the starting and ending years to personalize your gameplay. This accelerated timeline means days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on, continuing until 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. With the Blast from the Past event underway, it's the perfect opportunity for a historical journey!
Remember to disable automatic aging and use the following lifespan guidelines to accurately reflect historical life expectancies. Life expectancy significantly increased around 1950, so Sims are categorized into "born before 1950" and "born after 1950" groups, each with its own aging schedule:
Early Life Stages (Same for both groups):
- 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 Life Stages (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 Life Stages (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), optionally including their parents for a multi-generational household. Strive for historically accurate attire for each decade. Housing options are restricted: Strangerville is off-limits, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and for maximum realism, avoid Sulani. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a house.
Technology use is also period-specific. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers; they’re needed for certain jobs and ordering items. Job choices should reflect the available occupations of each era.
Related: Where To Find Plathinum & Ironyum in The Sims 4 Blast From the Past Event
Each decade presents unique challenges. For detailed rules, refer to Cute Coffee Gal's comprehensive guide. Here's a summary:
1890s
Only male heirs allowed. Daughters with the Creative trait move out upon marriage. WooHoo is forbidden; only "try for baby" interactions are permitted. Home births. Men work period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking). Women manage the household, with freelancing or gardening allowed if widowed. No electricity. Elementary school is mandatory, high school optional. University is allowed with period-appropriate majors. Begin growing a Cow Plant.
1900s
Lamps allowed. Indoor plumbing (no showers). Jobs and education remain as in the 1890s. Phonographs are permitted for music. Other 1890s rules apply.
1910s
Teen, young adult, and adult males are drafted for WWI. They must eat Cow Plant cake; roll a die for each drafted male Sim – odd numbers eat again, even numbers return home. If all males perish, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is mandatory (C average or higher). 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 can work under broader circumstances. Alcohol is prohibited.
1930s
Kegs allowed at university. The Great Depression is in effect: Sims can't join business careers and lose their jobs at the decade's start, regaining employment after one week. Prohibition ends. Sims get one cooked meal daily; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown.
1940s
WWII draft rules apply (as in the 1910s). Victory gardens (four or more plants) are required. 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 expelled for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.
1950s
Korean War draft (oldest son, following previous war rules). Showers and cheap TVs allowed. Radio listening isn't mandatory. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.
1960s
Vietnam War draft (oldest two children of any gender, following previous rules). Any college major is allowed. Maternity leave for women. WooHoo is permitted.
1970s
Vietnam War draft (oldest two children, following previous rules). Marriage is encouraged but not mandatory. 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 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 covers the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is beneficial, you can adapt the challenge to your existing packs. *The Sims 4* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
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