[BETA] The Sims 4 History Challenge (2.0)
Introduction
The Sims 4 History Challenge is a Legacy-style challenge that takes you and your Sims on a journey through history. You’ll start in the Stone Age, and progress all the way to Modern Day. Each Era is designed to be unique and provide a different experience from the Era before it, while still maintaining historic accuracy. You’ll be restricted on what objects, careers, and aspirations you can have, but will unlock more options as you play. While these restrictions will force you to adhere to the struggles of that Era, there are also unique goals that will encourage you to experience life in that time period.
This challenge was originally created by Cloudseeker, and inspired by the Through History Legacy Challenge for the Sims 3, as well as the Legacy challenge. Credit and thanks to Cassalina, Pinstar, and ImaginingMystic for the inspiration behind the challenge, and a huge thanks to Cloudseeker for creating the original History Challenge for the Sims 4. While the challenge may have changed with time from what he originally created, it wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t laid the foundation for such a unique and intriguing challenge.
Credit also goes to Cloudseeker for the images used in this section. Enjoy!
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Well, now that that's out of the way... Hi! I'm Snowie, the lead maintainer for this challenge. Yes, you read that correctly, I'm not the original creator of the History Challenge. The original creator, Cloudseeker, has given me his blessing to keep this challenge alive--you can check out his notes on the subject in the original History Challenge thread here. I've been updating this challenge from his original template for the last two years now, and decided it was time to take a second look at everything and rebuild it from the ground up--which is exactly what I've done!
The reason this challenge is still flagged as Beta is because there hasn't been enough feedback on the long-term goals of the challenge, as it is a rather long one. The length of the challenge is also why I won't be posting all the rules, goals, etc. on this thread. Please check out the Google Document here to read through everything about the challenge. I do apologize for any inconvenience that not posting the entirety of that document's contents on the forums may cause, but the challenge is much clearer and easier to understand in the format that I designed it for.
There are some challenge-wide goals that you'll be shooting for in this challenge, as well as a smaller set of goals for each generation. There are two difficulties; Casual and Historian, as well as an Enduring Eras mode that will make the challenge longer and slower paced. Check out the "Eras" and "Challenge-Wide Goals" sections for an explanation on how those work. Since there's a lot to track, I've made a scoresheet that will allow you to keep track of your progress on all the goals, as well as a family tree to record your Sims through the generations! Please follow the instructions on how to make a copy of this scoresheet for yourself, as the link will take you to the read-only master copy.
This post is long enough already, so I'll leave it at that! Links to the challenge and scoresheet are below, as well as the change log. Happy Simming!
History Challenge Google Doc
History Challenge Scoresheets
Oh, and there's now a Discord server for this challenge! If you want, you can come hang out. We have channels for suggestions, questions, CC and more! :)
Discord Link
Change Log 2/27/24
Expansions and stuff packs and millions of kits, oh my! This update adds support for Growing Together, Horse Ranch, For Rent, Home Chef Hustle, and Crystal Creations, as well as a few general updates to fill in missing content and rebalance the Renaissance.
The Sims 4 History Challenge is a Legacy-style challenge that takes you and your Sims on a journey through history. You’ll start in the Stone Age, and progress all the way to Modern Day. Each Era is designed to be unique and provide a different experience from the Era before it, while still maintaining historic accuracy. You’ll be restricted on what objects, careers, and aspirations you can have, but will unlock more options as you play. While these restrictions will force you to adhere to the struggles of that Era, there are also unique goals that will encourage you to experience life in that time period.
This challenge was originally created by Cloudseeker, and inspired by the Through History Legacy Challenge for the Sims 3, as well as the Legacy challenge. Credit and thanks to Cassalina, Pinstar, and ImaginingMystic for the inspiration behind the challenge, and a huge thanks to Cloudseeker for creating the original History Challenge for the Sims 4. While the challenge may have changed with time from what he originally created, it wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t laid the foundation for such a unique and intriguing challenge.
Credit also goes to Cloudseeker for the images used in this section. Enjoy!
Well, now that that's out of the way... Hi! I'm Snowie, the lead maintainer for this challenge. Yes, you read that correctly, I'm not the original creator of the History Challenge. The original creator, Cloudseeker, has given me his blessing to keep this challenge alive--you can check out his notes on the subject in the original History Challenge thread here. I've been updating this challenge from his original template for the last two years now, and decided it was time to take a second look at everything and rebuild it from the ground up--which is exactly what I've done!
The reason this challenge is still flagged as Beta is because there hasn't been enough feedback on the long-term goals of the challenge, as it is a rather long one. The length of the challenge is also why I won't be posting all the rules, goals, etc. on this thread. Please check out the Google Document here to read through everything about the challenge. I do apologize for any inconvenience that not posting the entirety of that document's contents on the forums may cause, but the challenge is much clearer and easier to understand in the format that I designed it for.
There are some challenge-wide goals that you'll be shooting for in this challenge, as well as a smaller set of goals for each generation. There are two difficulties; Casual and Historian, as well as an Enduring Eras mode that will make the challenge longer and slower paced. Check out the "Eras" and "Challenge-Wide Goals" sections for an explanation on how those work. Since there's a lot to track, I've made a scoresheet that will allow you to keep track of your progress on all the goals, as well as a family tree to record your Sims through the generations! Please follow the instructions on how to make a copy of this scoresheet for yourself, as the link will take you to the read-only master copy.
This post is long enough already, so I'll leave it at that! Links to the challenge and scoresheet are below, as well as the change log. Happy Simming!
History Challenge Google Doc
History Challenge Scoresheets
Oh, and there's now a Discord server for this challenge! If you want, you can come hang out. We have channels for suggestions, questions, CC and more! :)
Discord Link
Change Log 2/27/24
Expansions and stuff packs and millions of kits, oh my! This update adds support for Growing Together, Horse Ranch, For Rent, Home Chef Hustle, and Crystal Creations, as well as a few general updates to fill in missing content and rebalance the Renaissance.
Spoiler
Mini-Update: 2/29/24
This is the update for the Crystal Creations stuff pack! I did some deliberating on this one, since the crafting table (shocker) isn’t overly history-friendly despite the skill fitting well in history. Additionally, I decided to separate the aspiration for this pack from the items, as I felt the idea of a Sim devoting their life to this skill made more sense in the time period when crystal charging was refined to how the pack portrays it.
General:
And finally, one of the goals for the Renaissance has been changed. Previously, they were too artistic-focused for one era. While the arts were certainly booming during the renaissance, so were philosophical and scientific discoveries. Hopefully the new goal reflects that, and adds some diversity to this era.
Growing Together:
Originally, I made a discord post about this pack saying that there wasn’t much to update for it. Since then, I’ve re-evaluated the new features of this pack and added them to this challenge. Please take a look as these updates haven’t been posted anywhere else so far.
Horse Ranch:
For Rent:
Originally, I wasn’t going to allow residential rentals until a few generations in. However, the early generations seem like an opportune time to allow this feature so that players can support the large families and close-knit community of the first few eras. More restrictions could be added to this, though, as the goal isn’t to profit off of rentals early on and I haven’t tested this pack much.
Home Chef Hustle:
This stuff pack comes with a new type of selling table, which will be grouped with “Selling Tables” in the rules as it is functionally the same.
That’s all the updates for now! Thank you all for your patience in waiting for this challenge to be officially updated. I’ve been dealing with a lot of life changes over the last couple of years and haven’t had as much time or motivation to focus on this challenge. I do put all my notes for updates to this challenge at the very bottom of this document, and post about support for new packs on the discord server, if you’re looking for updates that haven’t officially been published yet. I hope everyone is enjoying their new year, and happy simming!
This is the update for the Crystal Creations stuff pack! I did some deliberating on this one, since the crafting table (shocker) isn’t overly history-friendly despite the skill fitting well in history. Additionally, I decided to separate the aspiration for this pack from the items, as I felt the idea of a Sim devoting their life to this skill made more sense in the time period when crystal charging was refined to how the pack portrays it.
- The Gemology Table and Crystal Charging Grid will be allowed starting in Early Civilization and onward.
- Sims may have the Crystal Crafter aspiration starting in the Atomic Age and onward.
General:
- Telescopes (the new, small ones, not the giant ones) have been moved from the Great Sim Frontier to the Renaissance. Galileo, anybody?
- You are now allowed to start with any number of pets (horses included) in your household. Just don’t get too crazy with it, or you might regret it!
- The Lord/Lady of the Knits aspiration has been moved from the Middle Ages to the Great Sim Frontier, since it requires “computer” access.
- The base game Neighborhood Confidante aspiration has been added to the Middle Ages, and the base game Villainous Valentine aspiration has been added to the Great Sim Frontier.
- Ice Skating Rinks were added to the Renaissance, and Roller Skating Rinks were added to the Industrial Revolution.
- Washing Machines and Dryers were added to the Roaring 20’s.
- Infant-related furniture has been added to the Stone Age, but may be moved if it’s too immersion-breaking and isn’t too inconvenient to play without.
And finally, one of the goals for the Renaissance has been changed. Previously, they were too artistic-focused for one era. While the arts were certainly booming during the renaissance, so were philosophical and scientific discoveries. Hopefully the new goal reflects that, and adds some diversity to this era.
- Changed the “Jam Session” goals in the Renaissance to the following:
- Casual Difficulty: Have a Sim successfully “Provide Logical Solutions to Problems” or “Rant Logically” 10 times.
- Historian Difficulty: Have a Sim successfully “Provide Logical Solutions to Problems” or “Rant Logically” with 10 different Sims.
Growing Together:
Originally, I made a discord post about this pack saying that there wasn’t much to update for it. Since then, I’ve re-evaluated the new features of this pack and added them to this challenge. Please take a look as these updates haven’t been posted anywhere else so far.
- Sims may purchase and use Treehouses and Changing Tables starting in the Stone Age.
- Starting in the Middle Ages, Sims may now have the Creative Genius child aspiration and buy and use Friendship Bracelet Kits.
- Sims may have the Slumber Party Animal child aspiration starting in the Renaissance.
- Sims may have the Mind and Body child aspiration starting in the Great Sim Frontier.
- Sims may have the Playtime Captain child aspiration starting in the Atomic Age. Additionally, you may build and visit Recreation Centers starting in this era.
Horse Ranch:
- Horses can be added to the household from the beginning of the challenge. However, you will not be allowed to participate in Horse Competitions until the Great Sim Frontier.
- Starting in the Stone Age, Sims may adopt horses, mini-goats, and mini-sheep freely. You may also purchase Horse/Livestock Beds, Food Troughs, and Water Troughs starting in this era.
- You may purchase Nectar Makers and Nectar Racks, have the Expert Nectar Maker aspiration, and hire a Ranch Hand starting in Early Civilization.
- In the Great Sim Frontier, your Sims may now participate in Horse Competitions and have the Championship Rider aspiration.
For Rent:
Originally, I wasn’t going to allow residential rentals until a few generations in. However, the early generations seem like an opportune time to allow this feature so that players can support the large families and close-knit community of the first few eras. More restrictions could be added to this, though, as the goal isn’t to profit off of rentals early on and I haven’t tested this pack much.
- Starting in the Stone Age, you may purchase and use Marbles and your Sims may own, build, and live on Residential Rental lots.
- Hopscotch, the Handyperson part-time job, and the Seeker of Secrets aspiration are all allowed starting in Early Civilization.
- In the Middle Ages and onward, Sims may have the Five-Star Property Owner and Discerning Dweller aspirations.
- The Water Heater and Fuse Box items may be purchased and used starting in the Industrial Revolution.
- Sims may purchase Slow Cookers and have the Fount of Tomorani Knowledge aspiration starting in the Atomic Age.
Home Chef Hustle:
This stuff pack comes with a new type of selling table, which will be grouped with “Selling Tables” in the rules as it is functionally the same.
- Sims may purchase and use Pizza Ovens starting in the Industrial Revolution.
- Starting in the Roaring 20’s, Sims may have the Market Magnate aspiration and purchase and use the Mixer and Waffle Maker appliances.
- In the Atomic Age and onward, sims may have the Appliance Whiz aspiration.
That’s all the updates for now! Thank you all for your patience in waiting for this challenge to be officially updated. I’ve been dealing with a lot of life changes over the last couple of years and haven’t had as much time or motivation to focus on this challenge. I do put all my notes for updates to this challenge at the very bottom of this document, and post about support for new packs on the discord server, if you’re looking for updates that haven’t officially been published yet. I hope everyone is enjoying their new year, and happy simming!
