Sims 4 Decades Challenge Guide

The Sims 4 community continuously reinvents gameplay by creating engaging challenges. For players seeking a historical journey through different eras, mastering the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4 offers the perfect solution.

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Rules of the Decades Challenge in The Sims 4

Understanding the challenge's framework is essential before beginning. The timeline progresses with every two in-game days representing one year, starting from 1890. Feel free to customize the ending year—either 2010 or 2020 works perfectly. With the ongoing Blast from the Past event, diving into historical gameplay has never been more fitting.

Turn off automatic aging and adjust life expectancy according to these guidelines, categorized by Sims born before or after 1950:

• 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 adults 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 (~60 years old)

For adults 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 (~90 years old)

Begin with a single Young Adult or married couple—multigenerational households are encouraged for authenticity. Style Sims appropriately for each era.

Housing restrictions apply: Strangerville is off-limits entirely, Del Sol Valley unlocks in the 1950s, and Sulani shouldn’t be used for realism. Apartments are acceptable for singles, but married Sims must move to houses.

Technology progresses historically—phones and computers serve limited purposes until later decades. Jobs should reflect period-accurate options.

The Sims 4 Decades Challenge Difficulties

Each decade introduces unique constraints:

1890s

• Male heirs only
• Daughters must take Creative trait and move out after marriage
• Babies born at home
• Men work traditional jobs; women focus on homemaking
• No electricity usage

1900s

• Lamps permitted
• Indoor plumbing allowed (no showers)
• Phonographs introduced

1910s

• WWI draft enacted via Cow Plant cake
• Male Sims attend university post-war
• Women take manual labor jobs

1920s

• Women become eligible heirs
• Talk radio and movies permitted
• Prohibition enforced—no alcohol

1930s

• Great Depression limits careers
• One cooked meal daily; others scavenged
• Prohibition ends

1940s

• WWII draft follows WWI rules
• Victory gardens required
• Radios mandatory

1950s

• Korean War draft rule
• Showers and TVs introduced
• Phone calls permitted

1960s

• Vietnam War draft
• University majors unrestricted
• Maternity leave introduced

1970s

• Microwaves and dishwashers allowed
• Lottery and food delivery available
• Marriage encouraged

1980s

• Business careers encouraged
• Hospital births required
• Gaming permitted

1990s

• Tech restrictions lifted
• Shelter required for Y2K
• Texting introduced

2000s

• Home/hospital births allowed
• All media accessible
• Computer restrictions removed

2010s

• Same-sex marriage legalized
• Print journalism fades
• Meat walls and Trendi permitted

The Decades Challenge offers historical immersion in The Sims 4. While Eco Lifestyle enhances realism, players can adapt rules for any expansion packs.

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