If you're a fan of *The Sims 4* and looking to add a new layer of excitement to your gameplay, the Decades Challenge is a fantastic way to experience your Sims' lives through different historical eras. This challenge is perfect for those who enjoy role-playing and want to test their creativity and strategic skills within the game.

Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

To embark on the Decades Challenge, you'll need to understand its core rules. The challenge operates on a timeline where every two days in-game represents a new year, starting from 1890. You can customize the years to fit your preference, but the default end is either 2010 or 2020. This system means that days one and two are 1890, days three and four are 1891, and so on. With the current *Blast from the Past* event, it's an ideal time to dive into this historical journey.

Ensure that automatic aging is disabled, and use specific life expectancy guidelines to reflect historical changes. Sims born before 1950 and after 1950 have different aging milestones due to changes in life expectancy during those periods. Here’s how the aging works:

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

For Sims born before 1950:

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

For Sims born after 1950:

• Young Adult: Ages up after 32 days (35 years old)
• Adult: Ages up 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 and get them married, or start with a young adult couple. You may also include one Sim's parents in the household to reflect multi-generational living common in earlier times. Ensure that your Sims' outfits are appropriate for the era they're living in.

Regarding housing, you cannot use Strangerville, and Del Sol Valley is off-limits until the 1950s. For maximum realism, avoid Sulani as well. Singles can live in apartments, but upon marriage, they must move to a house.

For technology, phones are allowed 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 ordering items like books and seeds. Choose jobs based on the era's availability.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade in the Decades Challenge comes with unique rules to enhance the historical immersion. Here's a summary of the rules for each decade. For more detailed rules, you can check out Cute Coffee Gal’s full guide.

1890s

In the 1890s, only male heirs are allowed. Daughters must have the Creative trait and move out upon marriage. WooHooing is prohibited, and trying for a baby is the only reason Sims can share a bed. Babies are born at home. Men work jobs suitable for the era, like woodworking, while women manage the household, though they can work if widowed. No electricity is allowed. Kids must attend elementary school, but high school isn't mandatory. University is allowed for both genders with period-appropriate majors. Start creating a Cow Plant this decade.

1900s

Lamps are now permitted, and indoor plumbing is introduced, but no showers. Jobs and education rules remain the same as the 1890s. Phonographs for music are acceptable, but other rules from the 1890s 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 die, the oldest female and her husband become the heirs. High school is now mandatory with a C average; otherwise, the Sim must move out. Men can attend university post-war, and women can take manual labor jobs.

1920s

Women can be heirs and don't need to move out when married. Daughters no longer need the Creative trait. Talk radio, movies, and all lighting options are allowed. Women can work more freely, especially if their husbands don't earn enough. Alcohol is banned due to Prohibition.

1930s

Kegs are allowed at university. The Great Depression affects job availability; all Sims lose their jobs at the start of the decade and can only get new ones after a week. Prohibition ends. Sims get one cooked meal a day, 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 allowed. Every household needs a radio, and at least one Sim must listen for an hour daily. High schoolers aren't expelled for bad grades, and teens can have part-time jobs.

1950s

The oldest son goes to the Korean War using the same rules as previous wars. Showers and cheap TVs are allowed. Radio listening is no longer required. High school remains mandatory, and phones are now permitted for calls.

1960s

The oldest two children of any gender go to the Vietnam War following the same rules. Any major can be chosen in college. Women are entitled to maternity leave. WooHooing is now unrestricted.

1970s

The oldest two children go to the Vietnam War again. Marriage is encouraged but not required. Microwaves and dishwashers are permitted. Lottery tickets and food delivery are now available.

1980s

Gaming is allowed. At least one Sim must pursue a business career. Science babies are permitted, and babies should be born in the hospital.

1990s

Laptops and unrestricted TV watching are allowed. Appliance and furniture restrictions are lifted. Texting is permitted. All families must build a Y2K shelter and stay in it for three days.

2000s

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

2010s

Journalism with print media is not allowed. Same-sex marriages are permitted. All part-time work, along with meat wall, Trendi, and weather generator, are allowed.

That covers 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 any packs you own.

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