Legacy Play

I play all my families legacy style, not the challenge. I mostly just consider legacy play to be playing families through generations. I only have one rule and that’s for the first born child to be the one that will be the heir of each generation. I have this rule mostly just to stop me always choosing a female heir cause I know I will do that if I don’t set a rule about it. :D

There is no right or wrong way to play legacy it’s how you want to play it. I never knew I was a legacy player until I joined the forums and learnt how others play. The challenge I believe has rules but again I never knew about challenges until reading about it here and personally I’m not a fan. As for me I currently have one main legacy family my simself and the other background one is the goth family which I never intended on. The goth one is more in line with the challenge where the eldest male is the heir to Ophelia manor but I play it as I want to with that only rule. My simself one has no rules. The rotational play is becoming harder as the families expand.

I don't play a regular family legacy, because I focus on way too many families, but I have played several houses through a number of generations. One thing I focus a bit on is heirlooms. I picked a few jewelry that I pretend exist is only one version (swatch) and is owned by just one sim, and passed down to next generation. With 4-5 such items with a history, along with old family portraits I find it more interesting to follow the lines of a house. Other heirlooms are of course real estate (a main manor if you play upper class) and families owning a community lot business is always interesting because the next owner might choose between traditions and changes - say if it is a restaurant there might even be traditions regarding parts of the menu. If you don't have Dine Out, they can own a park or a nightclub or whatever. Or there might be expected careers/skills focus within a family. I imagine legacy is also more interesting if you set up a rivalling family, it also allows for more variety as you can play the other house when you need a break. Just a few ideas :)

I consider legacy play is just a regular family play where you pick heir for the next generation

I play legacy however I please. I play rotationally. I am at gen 13 right now. Heir gen 11 is the founder of my decades challenge at the same time. Once my decades challenge is done, I will continue with that legacy and I will play differences in the family tree challenge. There are no boundaries, really. You just play for generations with that family. Whether it is rotationally or you just pick one heir, it doesn't really matter. You can set goals or you don't have to.
I would suggest rotational style play, because it is most versatile and you can't get bored. The reason why is that you rotate between families where they are on different level of money, career, age, hobbies, friends or even lifestate. So you experience always something different and new. And the best part is that if you add your sims to clubs and set their gathering place and then visit that place with another of your sims, then you will meet your other sims because they will gather there. I hope it makes sense, lol.
Also, if you can't stick with one families for multiple generation I suggest that you keep track of your family by creating a family tree for them. I use the plum tree app and it works perfectly for me. This is my sims' family tree . It is up to date and it is so motivating to see how my beloved family has been expanding.
Anyway, the most important rule of any gameplay is: have fun, don't force yourself and play your way so it makes you happy! Happy new year :)

I wasn't aware that I was doing a Legacy Challenge myself. I'm up to Gen 5. It's really all about the Brandi's and my goal to at least get to Brandi VIII. That line stops when a Brandi gives birth to all boys within the child bearing limit I have set for that generation.