Sims 4 Urban Founder Challenge: Rules

Note: This Challenge is still being Playtested, so the rules may change over time.

Concept, Mods, and Resources

Getting Started

You start in Newcrest with an empty world, and can only build apartments at first. Each new world and lot unlock has its own requirements. In addition, there are some important game features that require unlocking.

Rotational Play

The Urban Founder challenge is played rotationally. This means that you play each household for a set amount of time and switch between them. Set aging to “off” for unplayed households and only auto-age the active household.

You also need to set Risky Woohoo in MC Command Center to 20%.

World Setup

It takes a long time to empty out a save file of all existing sims and lots. To save time and hassle, I recommend you get my blanked out Sims 4 save file.

If you don’t want to use my save file, you can set one up for yourself. The idea is to get rid of all of the default stuff, except those few lots that really make the game work or feel like an intrinsic part of their world. Delete all of the households EXCEPT the Volkov and Oaklaw Households from the Manage Households screen (both tabs) and bulldoze all lots except the following from each world in the worlds screen:

• All the lots in the vacation destination worlds
• All the lots in Forgotten Hollow (set the Residential lots to Generic)
• San Myshuno
  • Central Park
• Windenburg
  • Von Windenburg Estate
  • The Bluffs
  • The Ancient Ruins
• Strangerville
  • Secret Lab
  • Old Penelope (set to Generic)
• Sulani
  • Admiral’s Wreckage (set to Generic)
• Britechester
  • University Housing lots
  • University Commons lots
• Mt. Komorebi
  • Sutefani Onsen Bathhouse
• Henford-on-Bagley
  • Isle of Volpe Park
• Moonwood Mill
  • The Collective Cabin
• Copperdale
  • Copperdale High School
  • Auditorium
• Chestnut Ridge
  • Duke’s Hall
• Tomarang
  • ZoSul Taman Botani

Holidays (Seasons)

The default save file on the main page for this challenge has different holidays than those in the default starting world. I just couldn’t take the pre-made holidays any more.

The holidays in my save file are based on the pagan cross-quarter holidays (Samhain, Yule, etc.), but I encourage you to make your own save file with holidays based on a calendar you enjoy, and share a link to your save file in the comments.

In any case, when you start the challenge, you are free to set your own holidays.

Building a Population

Founding Sims

Roll a 6 sided die and add 4 to determine the number of founding sims to start with. You should end up with a number between 5 and 10. These sims can be split up into households as you see fit. Occult sims may not be created in CAS at this point. Other than that, you are free to configure sims as you wish, including their Likes & Dislikes.

Resident points

After the founding sims, each moved-in or married-in resident, whether a townie, NPC, or CAS sim, requires one Resident Point. Births and adoptions count as Natives and do not require a Resident Point. Neither founders nor anyone they move in counts as a Native.

You earn a new resident point when you hit certain milestones.

Each Resident Point allows you to add a resident to your town. If you want, you can save these up to start larger households all at the same time.

These milestones are:

• Complete a unique aspiration
• Unlock and build a new community lot type or lot type tier
• Open a new sim-owned business

Reproduction and Adoption

You can increase your population the traditional way as well. Births and adoptions can occur at your discretion. Both births and adoptions qualify a sim as a Native.

Toddler traits must be selected randomly. Later traits must be selected randomly unless the child had an ideal upbringing. That’s tricky because schools and after school activities are restricted at the beginning.

When they age up to…	… must you randomize their trait?
Infant	Yep
Toddler	Yep
Child	Unless they have will have the Top-Notch Toddler trait
Teen	Unless they have completed four childhood aspirations
Young Adult	Unless they have straight A’s in high school AND Have either completed an aspiration (Base Game) OR Reached the top of an after-school activity (Seasons/Get Famous)

Likes & Dislikes

You may freely set a sim’s likes and dislikes, except for activities. These must be set through gameplay except for new CAS sims.

Occult Sims

Occult states must be unlocked to be created in CAS or turned. If you move them in, they are what they are.

Occult Type	Requirements
Alien (Get to Work)	Have an alien abduction AND Travel to Sixam.
Vampire (Vampires)	Level Vampire Lore skill to 15 AND Level Pipe Organ skill to 10
Mermaid (Island Living)	Level Fishing to 10 AND Reach level 3 in the Diver, Fisherman, OR Lifeguard careers.
Spellcaster (Realm of Magic)	Level 10 Gardening (Base Game) OR Level 5 Medium skill (Paranormal) AND Level 10 Mixology (Base Game) OR Level 10 Herbalism skill (Outdoor Retreat)
Werewolf	Unlock 3 Other Occult Types

Non CAS Occult Unlocks

Occult Type	Requirements
Ghost	Reach level 5 in the Paranormal Investigator career (Paranormal) AND Get them through the game. The first ghost must have been played in rotation at the time of their death. After that, other ghosts can have been NPCs.
Servo (University Living)	Once a sim builds a servo and activates it
Plant Sim	Eating a special ice cream or the forbidden fruit
Skeleton	Summoning with a rare relic or the séance table

Starting Restrictions

When you start out the game, many things are restricted. You gradually unlock these restrictions by completing certain milestones.

Wildcard points

Completing a unique collection and placing it on a community or sim-owned public lot earns one Wildcard point. This can be used to skip any one unlock step.

Important Game Unlocks

Restriction	Requirements
Sprinkler Alarms	Level 10 Cooking skill (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in either branch of the Engineer career (Discover University)
Thermostats	Level 10 Handiness skill (Base Game) OR Complete the Perfectly Pristine aspiration (Bust the Dust)
Child Calming Defender Lights	Level 10 Logic skill (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Detective career (Get to Work)
Townies, including Phone Calls from them	Throw 5 unique gold-level parties
Throw Parties away from home	Level 10 Charisma (Base Game) OR For 4 unique 5-tradition holidays (Seasons), achieve awesome messages for all household members
San Myshuno Festivals	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Social Media career
Henford on Bagley Fairs	Grow a perfect plant (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in either branch of the Critic career (City Living)
Mt Komorebi Festivals	Reach level 5 in either of the Salaryperson career branches (Snowy Escape)
Odd Jobs	Reach level 3 in the Fast Food career
Errands	Have a sim in any freelance career
Stalls & Grocery Delivery	Reach level 5 in the Management branch of the Business career
Divorce	Complete the Villainous Valentine aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 of the Private Attorney branch of the Law career (Discover University)
Contraception	Must set Risky Woohoo to 20% until contraception is unlocked. To unlock it: Level 10 Logic (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Doctor career (Get to Work)
Services	Reach the top of the Manual Laborer career
Nanny/Daycare	Reach the top of the Babysitter career
Employees	Reach the top of the Retail Employee career
Butlers	Reach the top of all Part Time careers
Moneytree	Complete the Fabulously Wealthy aspiration (Base Game)
Clubs	Complete the Party Animal aspiration
Lot Traits (except Challenges)	Complete the Renaissance Sim aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Interior Decorator career (Dream Home Decorator)
Vacation	Level 5 Photography, Level 10 Writing, or Level 10 Painting sim must accompany the travel party
Plopsy	Level 10 Knitting skill
Elementary School	The sim attending must have Top-Notch Toddler trait.
High School	The sim attending must have A’s in Elementary school or have completed a childhood aspiration.
Scouts	That sim participating must have completed a childhood aspiration.
Drama Club	Reach level 5 in the Actor career
University from home, including skill classes	The sim attending must have all A’s in High School.
University away from home	The sim must be a wonder sim: Be Native to your world, i.e. born or adopted in game Have the Top-Notch Toddler trait Have completed four childhood aspirations Have had all A’s in high school Reach the top of an after school activity (optional)
Veterinarians	There must be a functioning Vet Clinic in your world.

How to Unlock More Worlds

Travel to Vacation Worlds

In addition to the requirements below, Vacation requires a travel documentary sim: at least one sim in the travel party with level 5 photography, level 10 writing, or level 10 painting.

World	Requirements
Batuu	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Astronaut career
Granite Falls	Complete any collection
Selvadorada	Complete the Curator aspiration

Travel to Normal Worlds

World	Requirements
Brindleton Bay	Reach level 5 Pet Training skill
Britechester	Have a wonder sim. This sim must: Be Native to your world, i.e. born or adopted in game Have the Top-Notch Toddler trait Have completed four childhood aspirations Have had all A’s in high school Reach the top of an after school activity (optional)
Del Sol Valley	Complete the Master Actor/Master Actress career
Evergreen Harbor	Complete the Master Maker aspiration
Henford-on-Bagley	Level 10 Gardening
Magnolia Promenade	Reach level 5 in the Investor branch of the Business career
Mt Komorebi	Level 10 Rock Climbing skill
Oasis Springs	Complete the Angling Ace aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Scientist career (Get to Work)
San Myshuno	Complete the Neighborhood Confidante aspiration
StrangerVille	Reach level 5 in the Military career
Tartosa	Complete the Serial Romantic aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Floral Designer branch of the Gardener career (Seasons)
Willow Creek	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Criminal career
Windenburg	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Secret Agent career (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Politician branch of the Politician career (City Living)
Forgotten Hollow	Unlock Vampires
Glimmerbrook	Unlock Spellcasters
Sulani	Unlock Mermaids
Moonwood Mill	Unlock Werewolves
Copperdale	Complete any childhood aspiration
San Sequoia	Completely fill an entire map with occupied households, earned community lots, and active sim-owned business lots.
Chestnut Ridge	Complete either the Championship Rider (Horse Ranch) OR the Expert Nectar Maker (Horse Ranch) aspiration

How to Unlock More Lot Types

When you start out the challenge, only the Residential lot type is unlocked. To unlock more lot types, you must meet certain requirements.

Residential Lots

Lot Type	Requirements
Residential	Open at the start of the challenge
Apartment (hidden)	Complete the Mansion Baron aspiration
Penthouse (hidden)	Complete the City Native aspiration (City Living)
Tiny home residential (Tiny Living)	Complete the Friend of the World aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 in the Environmental Management branch of the Conservationist career (Island Living)
Haunted house residential	Previous owners must have died on the lot
Rental	Unlocks with Vacations

Sim-Owned Business Lots

Retail Lot (Skilled)	Level 10 with associated skill, and all products must be produced with that skill. Other products can only be added to the store if a sim in the household has level 10 in the associated skill. Ok to use this skill to unlock something else. Potion stores unlock with Virtuoso Spellcaster level and all Potions learned.
Retail Lot (Collection)	Complete the collection, and all products must be one of that collection
Retail Lot (Generic)	Have a sim-owned business with all perks purchased at least once
Restaurant	Reach level 5 in the Chef career
Vet clinic	Complete the Friend of the Animals aspiration

Community Lots

Community Lot Tier 1: Bare Necessities

When Tier 1 is unlocked, you can build the lot type, but it shouldn’t contain anything that isn’t required for the lot to function. If the game asks for a toilet, put a toilet. You can even put walls around it and a door. Don’t put a shower unless the game asks for a shower. Don’t add a chair. Lights are ok, but not the emotional reward lamps.

Community Lot Tier 2: Logical Functionality

When Tier 2 for a lot type is unlocked, you can add items that make sense for that lot type. Add a yoga mat and a dance floor to a gym. Don’t add a bar. No reward items.

Community Lot Tier 3: Build Your Dream Lot

When Tier 3 for a lot type is unlocked, you can add anything you want, even if it doesn’t belong. Add a manager’s office to the bar if you want. Put showers in the library. Use emotional reward lamps. Use career rewards you have unlocked on any sim.

Lot Type	Tier	Requirements
Bar	1	Reach level 5 of the Mixology branch of the Culinary career
	2	Level 10 Mixology skill
	3	Complete the Master Mixologist aspiration OR Level 5 Juicing skill (Eco Lifestyle)
Generic	1	Level 10 Mischief skill (Base Game) OR Level 5 Bowling skill (Bowling)
	2	Complete the Renaissance Sim aspiration
	3	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Secret Agent career
Gym	1	Level 10 Fitness skill
	2	Reach level 5 of the Bodybuilder branch of the Athlete career
	3	Complete the Bodybuilder aspiration
Library	1	Reach level 5 in either branch of the Writer career
	2	Level 10 Writing skill
	3	Complete the Bestselling Author aspiration
Lounge	1	Reach level 5 of the Comedian branch of the Entertainer career
	2	Level 10 Comedy skill
	3	Complete the Joke Star aspiration
Museum	1	Level 10 Painting skill
	2	Reach level 5 of the Master of the Real branch of the Artist career
	3	Place 10 unique Masterpiece paintings and 7 unique Excellent sculptures on the lot OR Complete the Archaeology Scholar aspiration (Jungle Adventure)
National park (Except those exempted in the Setup above)	1	Level 10 Fitness skill (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 of the Civic Planner branch of the Civil Designer career (Eco Lifestyle)
	2	Level 10 Herbalism skill
	3	Complete the Outdoor Enthusiast aspiration
Nightclub	1	Reach level 5 of the Musician branch of the Entertainer Career
	2	Level 10 Instrument skill
	3	Complete the Musical Genius aspiration
Park	1	Grow a cowplant (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 of the Botanist branch of the Gardener career (Seasons)
	2	Level 10 Gardening skill
	3	Complete the Freelance Botanist aspiration
Pool	1	Reach the top of the Lifeguard career
	2	Reach level 5 of the Pro Athlete branch of the Athletic career
	3	Reach level 5 in the Stylist branch of the Style Influencer career
Spa	1	Level 10 Wellness skill
	2	Complete any Wellness aspiration
	3	Complete all Wellness aspirations
Café	1	Sim reaches the top of the Barista career
	2	Level 10 Gourmet Cooking skill
	3	Reach level 5 of the Chef branch of the Culinary career (Base Game) OR Level 10 Baking skill (Get to Work)
Arts center	1	Reach level 5 of the Patron of the Arts branch of the Artist career
	2	Level 10 Painting skill
	3	Complete the Painter Extraordinaire aspiration
Karaoke bar	1	Reach level 5 of the Trendsetter branch of the Style Influencer career
	2	Level 10 Singing skill
	3	Complete the Computer Whiz aspiration
Beach	1	Reach level 5 of the Marine Biologist branch of the Conservationist career
	2	Level 10 Fishing skill
	3	Complete the Beach Life aspiration
University Commons	1	Reach level 5 of the Professor branch of the Academic Career
	2	Level 10 Research & Debate skill
	3	Complete the Successful Lineage aspiration (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 of the Charity Organizer branch of the Political career (City Living)
University housing	1	Reach level 5 of the Administrator branch of the Academic Career
	2	Level 10 Mischief skill
	3	Complete the Academic aspiration
Community space	1	Reach level 5 of the Green Technician branch of the Civil Designer career
	2	Level 10 Fabrication skill
	3	Complete the Eco Innovator aspiration
Wedding Lot	1	Earn gold on a Wedding party (Base Game) OR Reach level 5 of the Judge branch of the Law career (Discover University)
	2	Level 10 Charisma skill (Base Game) OR Level 10 Floral Arrangement skill (Seasons)
	3	Complete the Soulmate aspiration
Thrift and Bubble Tea Store	1	Level 5 in the Entrepreneur skill
	2	Level 10 Video Gaming skill
	3	Reach level 3 in the Video Game Streaming career
Recreation Center	1	Reach level 5 in the Tech Guru career
	2	Reach Guitar level 10
	3	Have a sim native to your town (i.e. born in game) complete an adult aspiration

Lot Reuse Points

Any time you master a 10-or-higher point skill that is not used by another unlock, or master it after all unlocks are complete, you earn a “Lot Reuse Point”. This lets you build one community lot of any type that is already unlocked, up to its lot tier unlock level. For each tier the new lot includes, you spend one Lot Reuse Point

For example, you have a tier 2 park in Newcrest, but you want one in Oasis Springs, too. To unlock it, you level Fitness to 10, knowing that all other unlocks with that skill have already been completed. This earns you a “Lot Reuse Point”. Now you can build a second tier 2 park. This costs 2 Lot Reuse Points.

Minor skills do not earn lot reuse points.