The vibrant community of *The Sims 4* has crafted an engaging and challenging way to experience the game through different time periods with the Decades Challenge. This challenge allows players to immerse their Sims in the evolving historical context from 1890 up to 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. If you're eager to embark on this journey through time, here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Image via EA

Before diving into the challenge, it's essential to understand its rules and how it works. The core concept is that every two in-game days represent a new year, starting from 1890. You have the flexibility to adjust these years to suit your preferences. For instance, days one and two represent 1890, days three and four represent 1891, and so on, until the challenge concludes in either 2010 or 2020. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the game's history, especially with the ongoing Blast from the Past event.

Ensure that automatic aging is disabled, and use specific guidelines for life expectancy to reflect historical changes. Sims are categorized into two groups based on their birth year: those born before 1950 and those born after. This distinction accounts for the significant increase in life expectancy around the mid-20th century.

The aging process for the initial life stages remains consistent across both categories:

• Baby: Age after 1 day (6 months old)
• Infant: Age after 3 days (2 years old)
• Toddler: Age after 8 days (6 years old)
• Child: Age after 14 days (13 years old)
• Teen: Age after 12 days (19 years old)

For Sims born before 1950, the aging continues as follows:

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

For Sims born after 1950, the aging process is adjusted to:

• Young Adult: Age after 32 days (35 years old)
• Adult: Age 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 Sim or a married young adult couple. Including the parents of one Sim in the household adds a multi-generational aspect, reflecting historical living conditions. When it comes to appearance, strive to use outfits that are appropriate for each time period.

Housing limitations also apply. You cannot use Strangerville, and Del Sol Valley is off-limits until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid Sulani as well. Single Sims may live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move into a house.

Technology usage is regulated. Phones are permitted for gameplay elements but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same rule applies to computers, which are necessary for certain jobs and for ordering items like books and seeds. When choosing jobs, consider whether they would have been available during the time period you're simulating.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Image via EA

Each decade in the Decades Challenge introduces unique rules that reflect the historical context of the era. Here's a comprehensive overview of the rules for each decade, with detailed rules available on Cute Coffee Gal's full challenge guide.

1890s

In the 1890s, only male heirs are permitted. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the sole reason for Sims to share a bed. Babies are born at home. Men work in period-appropriate jobs like woodworking, while women manage the household and may freelance or garden if widowed. Electricity is not allowed, and children must attend elementary school, but high school is optional. University education is available for both genders, but majors must be period-appropriate. Start cultivating a Cow Plant during this decade.

1900s

Lamps become permissible, and indoor plumbing is introduced, but showers are not allowed. Jobs and education remain unchanged from the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other rules from the previous decade still apply.

1910s

Teen, Young Adult, and Adult 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 perish, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school becomes mandatory with a C average requirement; otherwise, the Sim must move out. Male Sims can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

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

1930s

Kegs are allowed at university, but the Great Depression affects job availability. Sims cannot join business careers and lose their jobs at the start of the decade, regaining them after one week. Prohibition ends, and Sims are limited to one cooked meal per day, with other meals scavenged, caught, or grown.

1940s

World War II rules mirror those of World War I. Each household must maintain a victory garden with at least four plants. Thermostats, washers, and dryers are permitted, and a radio is required, with at least one Sim listening for an hour daily. High schoolers are not expelled for poor grades, and teens can hold part-time jobs.

1950s

The oldest son participates in the Korean War, following previous war rules. Showers and affordable TVs are allowed, and radio listening is no longer mandatory. High school remains mandatory, and phones can be used for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender participate in the Vietnam War, following the same rules. College majors are unrestricted, and women can take maternity leave. WooHooing is now allowed without restrictions.

1970s

The oldest two children again participate in the Vietnam War. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are permitted, and lottery tickets and food delivery become available.

1980s

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

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted, and texting is permitted. 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, and all music and TV channels are available.

2010s

Journalism is not allowed due to the decline of print media. Same-sex marriages are permitted, and all part-time work, along with the meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, are available.

That's everything you need to know about the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack enhances the experience, you can adapt the challenge to fit any packs you own or don't own.

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