Sims 4 Decades Challenge Guide

The *Sims 4* community thrives on creating engaging challenges, and the Decades Challenge offers a unique way to experience your Sims' lives across different eras. This challenge simulates a journey through time, starting in 1890 and progressing every two in-game days to a new year, culminating in either 2010 or 2020, depending on your preference. The current Blast from the Past event makes this a particularly fitting time to embark on this historical adventure.

Before you begin, remember to disable automatic aging. Life expectancy varies significantly throughout history, so this challenge uses different aging guidelines for Sims born before and after 1950, reflecting the historical changes in lifespan. Regardless of birth year, the early life stages follow a consistent aging pattern:

• 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)

Sims born before 1950:

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

Sims born after 1950:

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

To start, create a single young adult Sim, or a married young adult couple. Multi-generational households are permitted, reflecting common historical living arrangements. Strive for historically accurate clothing choices for each decade. Housing options are limited: Strangerville is off-limits, Del Sol Valley is unavailable before the 1950s, and for maximum realism, Sulani is also excluded. Apartments are acceptable for single Sims, but marriage requires a move to a house.

Technology use is restricted to reflect historical availability. Phones are permitted for essential gameplay functions but not for entertainment or communication until the appropriate decade. The same applies to computers, crucial for certain jobs and ordering items. Job choices should align with the historical context of each decade.

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 of the key aspects of each decade:

1890s

Male heirs only. Daughters with the Creative trait must move out upon marriage. WooHoo is prohibited; only attempting to have a baby is allowed. Home births. Men work period-appropriate jobs (e.g., woodworking). Women manage the household, with limited job options (freelancing or gardening if widowed). No electricity. Elementary school is mandatory; high school is optional. University is allowed for both genders, 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 remain in effect.

1910s

Teen, young adult, and adult males are drafted for World War I. All drafted males must eat Cow Plant cake; roll a die for each – odd numbers eat again, even numbers return home. If all males die, the oldest female and her husband become the heir. High school becomes mandatory (C average or higher). Male Sims can attend university post-war; women can take 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 are allowed at university. The Great Depression is in effect: Sims can't join business careers and lose their jobs at the start of the decade (new jobs available after one week). One cooked meal per day; other meals must be scavenged, caught, or grown. Prohibition ends.

1940s

World War II draft (same rules as WWI). All households require 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 sent away for bad grades. Teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s

Korean War draft (oldest son, same rules as previous wars). Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening is not required. High school is mandatory. Phones are allowed for calls.

1960s

Vietnam War draft (oldest two children, any gender, same rules). Sims can choose any college major. Women are allowed maternity leave. WooHoo is allowed.

1970s

Vietnam War draft (oldest two children, any gender, same rules). 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 remain there for three days.

2000s

Computer and phone restrictions are lifted (except 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 comprehensive guide covers the Decades Challenge in *The Sims 4*. While the *Eco Lifestyle* pack is beneficial, you can adapt the challenge to suit your available packs. *The Sims 4* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.