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BissenNess
Seasoned Hotshot
3 years ago

"Sims Through the Years" Legacy Challenge Rules

I was watching Sydney Macoretta do a build challenge where each room was a different year in the Sims 4. It was entertaining and I thought I could use a similar concept for a legacy challenge. Basically, each generation is challenged to use content from one specific year of pack releases in the Sims 4, starting with 2014. This includes their CAS, their homes and their gameplay goals. I play this with an additional restriction that major game play features (weather effects, fame, clubs, Plopsy, etc.) can’t be used until their pack is unlocked, but I left that out of the official rules. The rules are pretty involved as it is. Read on for specifics.

Before You Start
Most of the generation goals have multiple options for achieving them. I did this so that people who don’t have the same combination of packs that I have can try this. You’ll still need certain content in order to play all the generations in this challenge.

  • Generation two requires either Get to Work OR Get Together.
  • Generation three requires City Living.
  • Generation four requires either Cats and Dogs OR Vampires.
  • Generation five requires Get Famous.
  • Generation six requires Island Living OR Realm of Magic OR Discover University.
  • Generation seven requires either Eco Lifestyle OR Snowy Escape.
  • Generation eight requires Cottage Living.
  • Generation nine requires High School Years AND at least one other (non-kit) pack from 2022.
  • Generation ten requires either Horse Ranch OR For Rent.


General Rules
Cheat codes and mods that help your sim financially are forbidden, but there are no rules or restrictions related to aging or using the reward store.

At the beginning of each generation, all packs from a specific year are unlocked. Until a pack is unlocked, Sims can’t travel to the world(s) that came with the pack, they can’t select careers or aspirations from the pack, and they can’t use CAS or objects from the pack. Other types of pack content are usually okay to use. Skills are only locked if they require a locked object. For example, DU is unlocked at the start of Gen 6. Until that point, sims can't learn robotics because the skill books and robotics station are unavailable. On the other hand, sims can learn research and debate starting in Gen 1 because you can do that with a base game computer.

Household and Heirs: There are no rules about family structure, except that you have to raise at least two children to be the heirs. These children can be biological, adopted or step, as long as the current heir raises them for at least part of their youth. As for the two heirs, one will go on to be the Estate Heir who will inherit the Dream Home and take care of the previous generation in their old age. The other will be the Challenge Heir, who will strike out on their own with $20K after their parent completes all of their goals.

Starter Home: After leaving home, the Challenge Heir will move into an EA starter home in one of the worlds that was introduced in their year (e.g. Henford-on-Bagley for Gen 8). Once they move in, their generation has officially begun and the associated packs are unlocked.

CAS: Once the Challenge Heir has moved in, they need a makeover. You must change all of their outfits so that they only use CAS from the packs associated with their year. Yes, this is a CAS challenge. You may need to turn off the outfit type filter so that you have options (especially with swimwear). When someone new joins the household, including kids, you don’t have to be as strict. You can use any CAS that has been unlocked so far, including previous years, as well as CC.

Aspiration: The Challenge Heir must complete one of the aspirations from their year. Other members of the household, however, can select any aspiration that’s been unlocked so far. If the next heir ages up to a teen while their parent is still working on their own goals, you need to give the teen a placeholder aspiration, because their ultimate aspiration won’t be unlocked yet.

Career: The Challenge Heir must also master a career from their year.

  • Find-A-Job: If you select a career using the Find a Job tool, then they master it by reaching level 10.
  • Artisan Rules: If they are a self-employed Artisan (e.g. wood-working), mastery means reaching level 10 in the job skill and selling or licensing 10 excellent quality items.
  • Performer Rules: if they are a self-employed Performer (e.g. singer), mastery means reaching level 10 of your job skill and performing at community venues on 10 different days.

Other household members can make money using any career that has been unlocked so far.

Dream Home: To complete their generation, the Challenge Heir must buy their dream home. If possible, this home will only have assets from this generation’s packs. Yes, this is a build challenge. If you don’t like to build from scratch you can buy a ready-made house unfurnished and use it as a shell. If you’ve done everything you can with the assets from the packs, and you are still missing essential items, you can bring in substitutes just for those items. If you have a toddler, you can use any base game items under Kids>Toddlers. You can also use base game/CC substitutes if the assigned packs have nothing in one of the following categories: refrigerators, counters, items to satisfy bladder need, items to satisfy hygiene, items to cook with, items that you can sleep on/in (not just nap).

Part 1: The Base Game Generation-2014
Spoiler

This generation focuses on packs that were released in 2014: base game and the Holiday Celebration pack. Notice I said packs, not content. Since 2014 a lot of new content has been patched into base game and I can’t be bothered to sort that out. As long as the content is currently in base game or Holiday Celebration, it’s okay.

First create your founder as a teen or young adult. You need to style all of their outfits so that they only include content from base game and/or Holiday Celebration. Next, move your founder into one of the EA starter homes in either Willow Creek or Oasis Springs. Remember that, for the duration of this generation, active sims will only be able to travel to base game worlds (Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, Newcrest).

In order to complete this generation, the founder will have to achieve four goals in no particular order:
1.Aspiration: They must complete one base game aspiration
2.Hobby: They must master one base game hobby. This means reaching level ten in one of the 10-level skills that come with base game. If you want, you can kill multiple birds with one stone by choosing a hobby that relates to their career or aspiration (e.g. a writing hobby for a style influencer), but you don’t have to.
3.Master a career using one of the follow options:

  • Reach level 10 of a “Find a Job” Career: astronaut, athlete, business, criminal, culinary, entertainment, freelancer, painter, secret agent, style influencer, tech guru or writer.
  • Follow the Artisan rules to master a career as a carpenter (woodworking), self-employed painter, self-employed mixologist, or self-employed writer.
  • Follow Performer rules to master a career as a guitarist, pianist, violinist or self-employed comedian.

4.Dream Home: They have to buy their dream home designed entirely from base game and Holiday Celebration assets. The Dream Home can be located in any of the three base game worlds. For this generation only, you can move into a ready-made, furnished EA mansion if you want.

The children will each have at least one trait from a 2015 pack (squeamish, high-maintenance, dance machine or insider).


Part 2: The Work Together Generation-2015
When the founder from the Base Game generation finishes their generation goals, this unlocks content from packs that were released in 2015: Outdoor Retreat, Get to Work, Luxury Part, Perfect Patio, Spa Day, Cool Kitchen, Spooky Stuff and Get Together.

Move the Work Together Heir into a starter home in Windenberg. If you don’t own Get Together, you can build a starter home in Magnolia Promenade, but it can only have Base Game and Get to Work content to start out with to make it equivalent (imagine you worked for EA and they told you to build a starter home to ship with Get to Work). Once moved in, give the heir a 2015 makeover.

The Work Together Heir must complete five goals to complete their generation:
1.Complete one aspiration from a 2015 pack: Outdoor Enthusiast, Leader of the Pack, Inner Peace, Self-Care Specialist or Zen Guru.
2.Master one hobby from a 2015 pack: herbalism, baking, wellness or DJ mixing.
3.Master a career using one of the follow options:

  • Reach level 10 of a “Find a Job” Career: Detective, Doctor, Scientist.
  • Follow the Artisan rules to master an herbalist career making and selling herbal remedies.
  • Follow the Performer rules to master a career as a DJ, Masseuse or Wellness instructor.
  • Earn 10 business perks in a career as a retail business owner.

4.Build their dream mansion using only assets from 2015 packs. You can build it in Windenberg or Magnolia Promenade.
5.Use at least one game play feature from each of the packs in 2015. Aspirations, hobbies and careers count as game play for the packs they come from. Using the hot tub from Perfect Patio counts as pack game play, even though that’s now a base game feature.

All of the children need to have the Unflirty trait (the only trait introduced in 2016).

Part 3: The City Living Generation-2016
Spoiler
Once the Work Together Heir has achieved all of their goals, content from 2016 is unlocked: Movie Hangout, Romantic Garden, Dine Out, Kids Room, Backyard Stuff, City Living and Vintage Glamor. The City Living Heir moves into a cheap starter apartment in San Myshuno. Give them a 2016 makeover.

The City Living Heir must complete 5 goals:
1.Complete the City Native Aspiration
2.Master singing.
3.Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Reach level 10 in the critic, politician or social media career.
  • Follow Performer rules to master a career as a singer.
  • Run a five-star restaurant.

4.Build their dream pent house using only assets from 2016 packs.
5.At some point in the generation use at least one gameplay feature from each of the packs in 2016.

All of the children in this generation will have at least one of the traits introduced in 2017: dog lover or cat lover (will this become a family controversy? You decide). If you don’t own Cats and Dogs, give them whatever traits you like.

Part 4: The Vampire Cats Generation-2017
Spoiler
Once the City Living Heir has achieved all of their goals, content from 2017 is unlocked: Vampires, Bowling Night, Parenthood, Fitness, Toddlers, Cats and Dogs. The Vampire Cats Heir moves into a starter home in either Forgotten Hollow or Brindleton Bay. You give them a 2017 makeover.

The Vampire Cats Heir must complete 5 goals:
1.Complete one of the aspirations introduced in 2017: Friend of the Animals, Vampire Family, Super Parent, Master Vampire or Good Vampire.
2.Master one of the 2017 hobbies: pipe organ or pet training.
3.Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Follow Performer rules for mastering a career as a pipe organist.
  • Run a 5 star veterinary clinic.

4.Build their dream mansion in either Brindleton Bay or Forgotten Hollow, using only assets from 2017 packs.
5.Use at least one game play feature from each of the 2017 packs at some point in this generation.

The children of this generation will all have the self-absorbed trait, the only trait introduced in 2018.

Part 5: The Get Famous Generation-2018
Spoiler
Once the Vampire Cats Heir has achieved their generation goals, content from 2018 is unlocked: Laundry Day, Jungle Adventure, My First Pet, Seasons and Get Famous. The Get Famous Heir moves into a starter home in Del Sol Valley and gets a 2018 makeover.
The Get Famous Heir must complete 5 goals:
1.Complete one of the aspirations introduced in 2018: Master Actor, Archeology Scholar, Jungle Explorer or World-Famous Celebrity.
2.Complete one of the hobbies introduced in 2018: Archeology, Flower Arranging, Acting.
3.Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Reach level 10 of the following “Find a Job” careers: Gardener or Actor.
  • Follow Artisan Rules for one of the following careers: Self-Employed Florist, Self-Employed Gardener, Archeologist.




4.Build their dream mansion using only assets from 2018 packs.
5.Use at least one gameplay feature from each of the 2018 packs at least once in this generation.

The children of this generation must have at least one trait introduced in 2019: paranoid, child of the islands or child of the ocean.

Part 6: The Island University Generation-2019
Spoiler
Once the Get Famous Heir has achieved their goals, the packs from 2019 are unlocked: Strangerville, Island Living, Moschino, Realm of Magic, Discover University. The Island University Heir moves into a starter home in Strangerville, Sulani, Glimmerbrook or Britechester. Give them a 2019 makeover.

The Island University Heir must complete 5 goals:
1.Complete one of the aspirations introduced in 2019: Strangerville Mystery, Spellcraft and Sorcery, Academic, Beach Life or Purveyor of Potions.
2.Master one of the hobbies introduced in Discover University: Research and Debate or Robotics. If you do not own Discover University, you can complete a collection instead: buried treasure, seashells or magical artifacts.
3.Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Reach level 10 in a “Find a Job” Career: Military, Conservationist, Freelance Photographer, Education, Engineer or Law.
  • Master the Alchemy career by learning and selling 20 different magic potions.

4.Build a mansion in Sulani, Strangerville or Glimmerbrook using only assets from 2019 packs.
5.Use at least one gameplay feature from each of the 2019 packs at least once in this generation.

The children of this generation must have at least one trait introduced in 2020: maker, adventurous, freegan, green friend, recycle disciple or proper.

Part 7: The Eco Escape Generation-2020
Spoiler
Once the Island University Heir completes their goals, the packs from 2020 are unlocked: Tiny Living, Eco Lifestyle, Nifty Knitting, Journey to Batuu and Snowy Escape. The Eco Escape Heir moves into a starter home in Mt. Komorebi or Evergreen Harbor. If you own Tiny Living, you can build them a starter home using Tiny Living and Base Game assets, instead of moving into an EA starter home. Give the heir a 2020 makeover.

The Eco Escape Heir must complete the following goals:
1.Complete one of the aspirations introduced in 2020: Extreme Sports Enthusiast, Master Maker, Sacred Knitting Knowledge, Mt. Komorebi Sight Seer, Eco Innovator, Paragon of Hope, Enforcer of Order or Galactic Privateer (2020 was thematic whiplash).
2.Master one of the hobbies introduced in 2020: fabrication, juice fizzing, knitting, snowboarding, skiing or rock climbing.
3.Master a career using one of the following options.

  • Reach level 10 in a “Find a Job” career: civil designer, freelance crafter or salaryperson.
  • Follow Artisan Rules to master a career as a knitter, a self-employed fabricator, or a self-employed juice-fizzer.
  • Follow Performer Rules to master a career as a Ski Instructor.

4.Build a mansion Mt. Komorebi or Evergreen Harbor using only 2020 assets.
5.Use at least one gameplay feature from each 2020 pack at least once in the generation.

The children from this generation will have either the Animal Enthusiast or Lactose Intolerant traits (or both).

Part 8: The Cottage Living Generation-2021
Spoiler
Once the Eco Escape Heir completes their goals, content from 2021 is unlocked: Paranormal, Throwback Fit, Country Kitchen, Bust the Dust, Courtyard Oasis, Dream Home Decorator, Cottage Living, Industrial Loft, Fashion Street, Incheon Arrivals, Blooming Rooms, Modern Menswear. The Cottage Living Heir moves into a starter home in Henford-on-Bagley and gets a 2021 makeover.

The Cottage Living Heir must complete the following goals:
1.Complete a 2021 aspiration: Perfectly Pristine, Fabulously Filthy or Country Caretaker.
2.Win a ribbon at each of the village fairs, or learn 32 cross stitch patterns, or complete the haunted treasure collection (bizzare idol, wraith wax, specter sip, ectocake, clay hand, buddy jar, Dahlia doll, soul piece, candy jar).
3.Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Reach level 10 of the dream home decorator career or the freelance paranormal investigator career.
  • Follow Artisan rules to master a career as a farmer, selling farm products.
  • Master the cross stitcher career by making and selling 32 different cross stitched patterns.

4.Build a mansion in Henford-on-Bagley using only 2021 assets.
5.Use at least one gameplay feature from each pack during this generation, except for the CAS and BB kits.


Part 9: The High School Generation-2022
Spoiler
Once the Cottage Living Heir completes their goals, content from 2022 is unlocked: Carnival Streetwear, My Wedding Stories, Decor to the Max, Moonlight Chic, Little Campers, Werewolves, High School Years, First Fits, Desert Luxe, Everyday Clutter, Pastel Pop. The High School heir moves into a starter home in either Copperdale, Moonwood Mill or Tartosa and gets a 2022 makeover.

The High School Heir must complete the following goals:
1. Complete a 2022 aspiration: Emissary of the Collective, Wildfang Renegade, Lone Wolf, Cure Seeker, Drama Llama, Goal Oriented, Live Fast, Admired Icon. Note: if you pick a teen aspiration, you have to wait for the previous generation to finish all of their objectives before you can start. Timing is crucial.
2. Complete the Message in a Bottle or Moonwood Relic Collections.
3. Master a career as a Trendi seller by selling 10 Hot outfits.
4. Build a mansion in Copperdale, Moonwood Mill or Tartosa.
5. Use at least one gameplay feature from each pack during this generation, except for he CAS and BB kits.

The children from this generation will each have at least one of the following traits: Rancher, Horse Lover, Nosy, Generous, Cringe, Child of the Village.


Part 10: The Ranchlord Generation-2023
Spoiler
Once the High School Heir completes their goals, content from 2023 is unlocked: Growing Together, Horse Ranch, Home Chef Hustle, For Rent, Bathroom Clutter, Simtimates, Basement Treasures, Greenhouse Haven, Grunge Revival, Book Nook, Poolside Splash, Modern Luxe. The Ranchlord heir moves into a starter home in San Sequoia, Chestnut Ridge or Tomarang and gets a 2023 makeover.

The Ranchlord Heir must complete the following goals:
1. Complete a 2023 aspiration: Championship Rider, Expert Nectar Maker, Appliance Whiz, Market Magnate, Seeker of Secrets, Five-Star Property Owner, Fount of Tomarani Knowledge, Discerning Dweller.
2. Complete a 2023 hobby skill or collection: Horse Riding skill, Marbles collection, or Tassels collection.
3. Master a career using one of the following options:

  • Master the nectar-maker career by selling 10 excellent, finely aged bottles of nectar.
  • Master the horse rider career by reaching level 10 riding and winning prizes in 10 Master-level horse competitions.
  • Master the home chef career by reaching level 10 of the cooking skill and selling 10 excellent group meals.
  • Master the landlord career by owning 10 5-star apartments.

4. Build a mansion in San Sequoia, Chestnut Ridge or Tomarang.
5. Use at least one gameplay feature from each pack during this generation, except for he CAS and BB kits.