The Apocalypse Challenge! Adapted for The Sims 3! «1234567…28...Next Go

Ashleigh825

IMPORTANT: The Apocalypse Challenge has been updated to include World Adventures. If you own World Adventures, please read the second post for World adventures-specific rules.

Last Update: 04/19/10

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This is essentially Pinstar's Apocalypse Challenge for TS2. I adapted it to work with TS3. It hasn't been play-tested, yet, but seeing as how it's Pinstar's same challenge, except tweaked for TS3, there shouldn't be any major problems with it. In any case, if you do spot a glaring conflict either while playing the challenge or reading through the rules, let me know and I'll work on fixing it.

I've been trying to contact Pinstar for weeks for permission to post these rules, but he never replied to me, so I'm posting them with a disclaimer. These rules may be taken down at any time without prior notice if Pinstar is not okay with me having these rules posted.

DISCLAIMER: I did not write this challenge originally. The majority of it is still Pinstar's original writing. I just made alterations, added and deleted some things from it to make it playable on TS3. The link to Pinstar's original Apocalypse Challenge may be found here:

http://www.legacychallenge.com/apocalypse.html

If you post his original rules anywhere, credit him (not me. I didn't write the original rules) and provide a link to his website.

If you post these adapted rules for TS3, credit BOTH Pinstar and myself, please and provide a link to his website as well as this link:

http://thecharmlegacy.wordpress.com/

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RULE CHANGES
Starting Out
- Spouses and children of non-heirs can now lift restrictions, as long as they are contributing to the bloodline. Just like in Pinstar's Legacy Challenge, the spouse to an heir or spare is not considered part of the bloodline until she or he reproduces with the heir or spare. Basically, as long as the Sim's lineage can be directly traced back to the founder, she or he can lift restrictions.
- The rule stating that only Townies and NPCs can be moved into the Apocalypse House has been changed to Sims that you as the player did not create, so Sims that live in the neighbourhood are free game, as long as you didn't create them or play as them in that save file.
- This was always a rule, but I forgot to add it in, so don't worry if you broke this rule before. You can't ever change your active household from your Apocalypse Family throughout the duration of the challenge for any reason, not even for a second. The moment you do, you fail the challenge.
- Your town MUST be on a barren, desert landscape with no plants or greenery of any kind. Use the free Create A World tool to do this. This rule does not apply to Mac users or those who can't run the tool on their computer for whatever technical reasons. This rule also does not apply to those who began their challenge before this update to the rules.

Hopelessness...
- In the event a Sim you attempt to move in has dependents (teenage or younger Sims who have no other adult in the house to care for them) and the game forces you to move them in also, they may be moved in; however, these dependents cannot be kicked out of the house until the Military restriction is lifted. The dependents cannot lift restrictions, either, since they are not part of the bloodline and cannot be directly traced back to the founder on the family tree.

Military
- You may not take classes at any community lot. I chose to take out classes for two reasons: 1) It doesn't make much sense to have classes running in an Apocalypse Challenge and 2) I originally allowed classes to make the Master Painter restriction possible to lift, but now that easels are allowed, this is no longer necessary.
- You may call Sims on the phone to chat. This makes it easier to befriend and marry co-workers.
- Since it is harder to build relationships in TS3 than it was in TS2, you may go and pick up Sims to bring to your house if you are friends with them, not necessarily best friends. Otherwise, you would have to spend all day on the phone with the person to get them to best friend status for the majority of your Sim's Young Adult life, which makes it impossible to build skills and get promoted.

Special Agent (Law Enforcement)
- Children cannot leave the house for any reason other than school if they do not have 10 athletic skill, either. I realized that in TS2, children couldn't leave the lot without an adult, but now they can, which is why I needed to add them to the restriction.

Journalism
- If a Sim misses a SINGLE day of work for any reason they must quit their job. The only exception to this is pregnancy. Pregnant Sims must pay a fee of whatever pay they would receive on Maternity Leave for each day they are on Maternity Leave, essentially meaning that your Sim gets no pay for Maternity Leave. To do this, purchase any item that is the price of your Sim's maternity pay or the next one higher (you may not purchase anything less than the amount your Sim gets paid) and place it in the family inventory without using it or leaving Buy Mode. You must do this for each day your Sim is off of work due to maternity leave.

Master Gardener
- Sims may not garden. Period. No planting seeds, no watering seeds, no weeding plants, no harvesting fruits/vegetables anywhere on or off your lot. Nothing. Nada. Ever. Reason? Plants can't grow in toxic ash, which is what the ground is.
- Any kind of salad/lettuce, vegetable or fruit may not be cooked, ordered at restaurants, eaten or bought pre-made. Reason? The food has to come from somewhere and if all the land around you is toxic ash, there's nowhere for that food to come from.

Science
- Sims may play chess on computers to build logic skill.

Politics
- Fences and gates may be placed on the ground level.

Symphonic (Music)
- Sims may not "gussy up" or "admire self" in front of a mirror, either.

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And without further ado, here are your Apocalypse Challenge rules for TS3 in the next post.

Ashleigh825

The Apocalypse Unfolds...

It’s the super bowl and all across the region, people are watching. The whistle blows for half time and every Sim in the city goes to use the toilet. Every single toilet in the region is flushed at the same time. The resulting drop in water pressure causes the three nuclear power plants in the area to go critical and melt down, devastating the region. Thankfully the founder is off at college when this happens…but when they return to start their family, they find a very different world they must survive in…

The following is a set of harsh restrictions the family must obey in order to survive in the devastating aftermath. Some restrictions are tied to careers while others are tied to skill-building and relationships. When a Sim reaches level 10 in a career field that is tied to a restriction, that restriction is lifted. A single Sim may only lift one restriction in their lifetime, excluding the Hopelessness... restriction. This restriction is automatically lifted once all other restrictions have been lifted and a Sim may lift this restriction in addition to one other restriction.

Starting Out

- To lift all 18 of the main restrictions (all except the Hopelessness... restriction), it will take 18 different Sims. (The Hopelessness... restriction can only be lifted after all other restrictions have been lifted. A Sim may lift this restriction in addition to one other restriction).
- Only Sims that are part of the bloodline can unlock restrictions. Adopted Sims and Sims that are not spouses or children of spares or heirs cannot lift any restrictions. Neither can ghost babies.
- The founder starts as a young adult fresh out of college. You may make this Sim look any way you want, give them any combination of traits and give them any Lifetime Wish.
- You MUST play the challenge on either Normal or Long lifespans (add five extra points to your overall score if you complete this challenge on Normal).
- Your town MUST be on a barren, desert landscape with no plants or greenery of any kind. Use the free Create A World tool to do this. This rule does not apply to Mac users or those who can't run the tool on their computer for whatever technical reasons. This rule also does not apply to those who began their challenge before this update to the rules.
- You may purchase Lifetime Rewards during the game.
- You may complete Opportunities in the game as long as the task doesn't require breaking a restriction that hasn't yet been lifted. Otherwise, you may not accept Opportunities.
- The founder may keep up to three items in their inventory that they started out with. The remaining items must be placed in the family inventory and never removed from the family inventory again or sold.
- The terrain of the family's lot must be sand or dirt; no stones and no greenery whatsoever.
- You must move the founder into any lot costing 6,800 simoleons in Sunset Valley or 7, 200 simoleans in Riverview. This will leave you with lots of leftover cash no matter which neighbourhood you settle in, so no complaining about the lack of starting money.
- If your family has broken any rule or restriction due to a rule change, you do not fail the challenge.
- Objects that were allowed that are no longer allowed due to a rule change may be sold via buy mode without penalty.
- If an object has no value, (such as old homework or newspapers), you may delete it, regardless of existing restrictions.
- There must be no trees, flowers, shrubs or greenery of any kind, other than the default grass on the lot when you purchase it (which you must change to sand or dirt immediately).
- You may use the “level lot” tool before moving into your blank lot.
- No sim in the household may sleep outdoors.
- Only Sims that you as the player did not create may join the family through move-in or marriage.
- You cannot ever change your active household from your Apocalypse family not even for a second. The moment you do, you fail the challenge.
- The ONLY Sims that may be moved into the apocalypse family are Sims that will directly contribute to the birth of the next generation. (In other words, the spouse of a blood relative).
- Ghost babies cannot lift restrictions.
- If you wish to keep score, count the number of days your family is in existence once the founder purchases and builds her or his shelter. Pinstar feels that the easiest way is to write a tic mark down once per sim week.
- Cheats, mods or hacked objects that would give you an unfair advantage over a player who didn’t have or use them may not be used. Awesomemod and Indie Stone are allowed.
- To win the challenge, you must lift all restrictions. The Hopelessness... restriction is automatically lifted once all other restrictions have been lifted.

Restrictions

1.
Restriction Name: Hopelessness…
Quote: “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.”
Description: The physical effects of the nuclear winter are clear, but it is only half of the devastation. The damage to the population’s mindset and willpower has also been great. People are starting to give up hope and despair has begun to set in. People have no motivation to band together or leave the shelters they have made.
Restriction Conditions:
- You cannot move in or marry in any Sims except for Sims who directly contribute to the family's bloodline. In other words, only your founder's mate and the mates of your heirs.
- In the event a Sim you attempt to move in has dependents (teenage or younger Sims who have no other adult in the house to care for them) and the game forces you to move them in also, they may be moved in; however, these dependents cannot be kicked out of the house until the Military restriction is lifted. The dependents cannot lift restrictions, either, since they are not part of the bloodline and cannot be directly traced back to the founder on the family tree.
- Once your founder reaches the top of a career (ANY of the careers, it doesn’t matter which), reaches level 10 in a skill tied to a restriction or completes the relationship requirement tied to a restriction, they show the region that the worst is over, and that things can and will begin to get better. A few Sims are even willing to risk traveling the streets to be with the region's new and only ray of hope.
- You cannot cook or eat Ambrosia, eat Life Fruit or harvest the Death Flower in order to be resurrected.
- Any seeds that can grant life cannot be harvested, but may be planted, tended to, weeded, and watered once the Master Gardener restriction has been lifted.
How to Lift Restriction: Lift all other restrictions.

2.
Restriction Name: Business
Quote: “Your money is no good here.”
Description: The chaos in the region set off by the power plant explosions has broken down the basic economic fabric of society. The value of a simolean varies wildly from place to place. All major markets have been destroyed or looted dry. With the economy of the region in shambles, people are unwilling to ‘go shopping’. The only thing that sells well are stories from survivors, as media outside the region is hungry to know what happened and what it is like to live in such a land.
Restriction Conditions:
- Your Sims may not become a partner of any business, nor can they buy out the business.
- You may not sell items via the buy or build tab. (You may still sell build mode items, such as walls and stairs).
- Your Sims may not purchase any item or service from a “rabbit hole” (grocery store, book store, bistro, day spa, etc...)
- Your Sims may not use the “sell” interaction with objects (such as completed paintings).
- Your Sims *are* allowed to finish writing novels and collect the royalties.
- Your Sims may not hire service Sims of any kind.
- Your Sim may place collected items, such as bugs, fish, gems and rocks on the lot but cannot sell them. If the collected object is too big to fit in the 8x8 space, it must be placed in the family inventory and never taken out or sold. These items still cannot be taken out of the family inventory or sold even after this restriction is lifted, because by putting the items in the family inventory, you are essentially "deleting" them from existence.
- Your Sim may not send gems off to be cut.
- Due to supply shortages, you may only craft one item per day (such as a painting or novel).
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Power Broker from the family rebuilds the economic structure of the region, the Business restriction is lifted.

3.
Restriction Name: Special Agent (Law Enforcement)
Quote: “Go ahead and call for help, nobody will listen.”
Description: The local police and fire departments are in shambles and unable to do their job. A strong air of anarchy and lawlessness has swept the region. Violent gangs of anarchists prey on the old and weak.
Restriction Conditions:
- Your Sims may not purchase smoke detectors or burglar alarms.
- Your Sims may not use the “emergency” tab on the phones.
- Children, teenage and elder Sims that have less than 10 athletic skill points may not leave the lot for any reason, including going to work or community lots. The ONLY exception to this rule is that children and teenage Sims can go to High School without penalty.
- You may not call adoption services to adopt children of any gender or age.
- Ghost babies can be had, but cannot lift restrictions and are useless as far as completing this challenge goes.
- You *may* extinguish fires yourself.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a brave International Super Spy emerges from the family, they can clean up the streets and restore order, allowing police and fire fighters to once again help people. The Special Agent (Law Enforcement) restriction is lifted. The smoke detector and burglar alarm may be purchased and used, even if the Science restriction has not been lifted.

4.
Restriction Name: Medical
Quote: “It’s the dark ages once again.”
Description: The plumbing has been severely damaged in the region. Water brought to the house is dirty and unsanitary. To make things worse, local drug stores have been cleaned out by looters.
Restriction Conditions:
- Showers and bathtubs of all types may not be purchased or used at home or on a community lot.
- One toilet is permitted.
- Dish washers may not be purchased or used.
- Pools may not be built or used.
- You *may* have one sink in your shelter. Just assume that the water is dirty and unsanitary. You may still wash dishes and wash your hands, though.
- Pregnant Sims may not seek medical advice from the hospital or give birth in the hospital.
- Whenever Sims woohoo, they MUST choose “try for baby.” If "try for baby" is not an option, they may not woohoo. (Unless the Sim is too old to get pregnant or the two Sims woohooing are the same gender).
How to Lift Restriction: Once a World-Renowned Surgeon emerges from the family, they lead the Red Cross restoration effort. This restores clean running water to the region and brings supplies of medicine, hygiene needs and contraceptives to the people who need it. The medical restrictions are lifted.

5.
Restriction Name: Culinary
Quote: “Hunger is the best spice.”
Description: The gas lines and power grid have been severely damaged. Running a gas stove or electric appliance carries too much of a risk. The radiation levels are too high to risk using a microwave either. Food is scarce. The quality of the food the Sims can get is very poor and can bring illness to some. Coffee is now scarce in the region due to supply cuts. Fresh food is non-existent.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not purchase or use anything from the "Appliances" category except for the cheapest grill.
- You may only prepare food once per sim day. Once any Sim has prepared food, no other may do so for the rest of the day. A Sim making a one-serving meal counts. (An easy way to keep track of this restriction is to turn the fridge backwards after a Sim has taken food from it, and keeping it that way until midnight).
- Sims giving bottles to babies and toddlers does NOT count against this restriction and may be done as many times during the day as needed.
- Sims may not prepare food on community lots.
- Sims may not eat at restaurants on community lots.
- You may not use the “Delivery” menu on the phone to order Pizza or Chinese food.
- Sims may not purchase prepared food from community lots.
- Sims may not hold food in inventory.
- Sims may not purchase or use birthday cakes, bars or the buffet table.
- Feeding fish in a fish bowl counts against this restriction. If you feed a fish, that fish will be the only living creature in the house eating that day.
- Your Sims *may* cook and eat fish that they caught themselves, but cannot send them to be mounted.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Five-Star Chef emerges from the household, they invent new ways to preserve food, and better ways to cook the artificial food. They have learned to rewire home appliances so they can be used again. They also open up supply chains to coffee growers. The Culinary restriction
is lifted.

6.
Restriction Name: Evil (Criminal)
Quote: “Nice place you have. I’d hate to see anything bad happen to it.”
Description: The Alto family has taken advantage of the lawlessness in the region to set up a protection racket. Vita Alto and her goons force people to pay hefty sums to ensure nothing ‘bad’ happens to what few possessions they have left. While some try to fight the mob, most just give in and pay.
Restriction Conditions:
- Once per week, by midnight your Sims must sell off all replaceable items on their lot and in their inventory, and replace them with the exact same item. The “Protection Money” is the loss of depreciation. You must do this weekly, starting 7 days after you begin the lot. You do not have to do this on the first day
- A “replaceable item” is any item that can be purchased in the buy menu.
- If you do not have enough money to replace all of your items, you must buy back as many as you can. You must pay protection on items, even if you can’t use them yet.
- You do not have to replace any items that are worth $100 retail ($40 fully depreciated) or less, as Vita and her secret mob don't care about small stuff like that.
- Because the mob controls the remaining production centers, they don’t take kindly to the family having too many crafted items. You may have only 1 of each type of crafted item (one painting, one novel, one cut gem etc...) on the lot at any time. A good way to achieve this without breaking the Business restriction is to place any extra paintings and books into the family inventory. Once these items have been placed in the family inventory, they can never be used, taken out of the family inventory or sold. By placing these items into the family inventory, you are essentially "deleting" them from existence. The mobsters confiscated every extra painting, novel and cut gem your Sims have placed on the lot.
- This restriction is NOT lifted after Vita Alto dies (but nice try, guys). Her faithful cronies will continue her reign of corrupt politics and crime after her death.
- If the Ghostly Encounter restriction is lifted, you do not have to factor the value of beds.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a member of the family rises to the top of the underworld to become the Emperor of Evil, they become part of the ‘family’. While they do not get a cut of the profits, they no longer have to pay any protection money.

7.
Restriction Name: Military
Quote: “The government advises all citizens to lock their doors and remain indoors.”
Description: The mobs of radiated zombies wandering the streets make it unsafe to travel anywhere but a select few highways. Neighbourhoods are scattered as nobody is willing to risk traveling just to visit with friends.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not travel to any community lots.
- Sims may not take a class at any community lot.
- You may not invite over any Sims… with two exceptions…
- A Sim may invite her or his boyfriend/girlfriend/fiance over (true love knows no bounds)
- If your Sim owns a car (and has it placed on a driveway on the lot), you may also invite over Sims your Sim is friends with. (Your Sim spins by and picks their buddies up).
- You may call Sims on the house phone to chat (but NO cell phones).
- These restrictions also apply to parties, funerals and group outings.
- You may still hail and socialize with walk-bys as normal.
- Teenage Sims may not stay out after curfew (11:00pm). Children may not stay out after curfew (10:00pm, I believe).
- Sims may not move out of the house.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a brave Astronaut from the family leads the local National Guard in a strike force against the zombie hordes, the streets will become safe to travel again and the Military restriction is lifted.


8.
Restriction Name: Professional Sports
Quote: “Only the strong survive.”
Description: The radiation in the air weakens muscles and bones. As a result, muscle degeneration has set in. Even simple physical tasks have become impossible.
Restriction Conditions:
- Any item that takes up more than one square may not be moved or placed back into inventory once placed on the lot.
- Gym equipment may not be purchased or used.
- Sims may not perform the “leap into arms” interaction.
- Sims may carry no more than 3 items in their inventory.
- Sims may not “restock” items, or delete out-of-stock items larger than one square.
- Sims may not sell buy-mode objects that are larger than 1 square. (You may still move and delete build-mode objects, regardless of size)
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim becomes a Sports Legend, they invent new training techniques to overcome the muscle degeneration set in by the disaster. The Professional Sports restriction is lifted.

9.
Restriction Name: Journalism
Quote: “White hot iron, red hot iron, cold black iron. An iron taste and iron smell, and everywhere an iron sound.” - Bleakhouse
Description: With government regulators unable to enforce fair labour laws and the remaining businesses able to mistreat their workers who are desperate to keep their jobs, standards of employment have gone down the drain.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not use vacation days.
- If a Sim misses a SINGLE day of work for any reason they must quit their job. The only exception to this is pregnancy. Pregnant Sims must pay a fee of whatever pay they would receive on Maternity Leave for each day they are on Maternity Leave, essentially meaning that your Sim gets no pay for Maternity Leave. To do this, purchase any item that is the price of your Sim's maternity pay or the next one higher (you may not purchase anything less than the amount your Sim gets paid) and place it in the family inventory without using it or leaving Buy Mode. You must do this for each day your Sim is off of work due to maternity leave.
- If a Sim loses employment in a career for any reason (quitting or being fired) they may never take a job in that career again. This cross-applies to teenage, adult and elder careers. (For example, if a Sim was fired or quit from the Science career as a young adult, they may never take a job in the Science career again, even when they become an adult or elder. Teenage Sims may never take a job at the same place again, so if your teenage Sim got fired from her or his Day Spa job, she or he can never apply to work at the Day Spa again).
- Elders may not retire; they must quit if they wish to stop working.
- You may not ignore career-related events; you MUST select one of the two options.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim from the family becomes a Star News Anchor, they host a huge press conference and invite all the leaders of industry to attend. Little do they know that the federal labour enforcement agents have also been invited. Confronted by the federal agents, the labour leaders agree to follow the proper labour laws. The Journalism restriction is lifted.

10.
Restriction Name: Science
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” - Arthur C. Clark
Description: Without the flawless power grid and advanced electronics companies of modern day, the high tech gizmos that were once relied upon have slipped out of the population’s reach again. Technology has taken a step backwards.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not purchase or use anything from the electronics category except for a single computer, a single phone, and a single boom-box (the $150 one).
- The one computer you are allowed is nothing more than a typewriter. You may only use the computer to “write novel” or "practice writing". Workaholic Sims MAY use the computer to work from home. (If Sims autonomously play games, just cancel the action).
- Sims may play chess on computers to raise logic skill.
- Sims may not ever answer their cell phones when they ring (pretending they aren't there, really), nor can they use their cell phone for any reason.
- Sims may not purchase or use anything from the “Lights” category.
- Sims may not purchase or use the trash compactor.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Mad Scientist emerges from the family, they can restore the knowledge of known technologies so they may be produced in the area again, as well as repairing the power grid enough to use these gizmos and gadgets in the house.

11.
Restriction Name: Politics
Quote: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.” – Winston Churchill.
Description: The political scene is a mess, more so than it normally is. Local officials are haggling over how and when supplies are sent to the region, while the citizens suffer (no doubt Vita is contributing to this corrupt chaos). Corruption is rampant and waste is constant. The mayor has restricted the supply of building materials in an effort to “conserve” them. Harsh and unreasonable property laws have been enacted. What is left of the police force seems oddly motivated to enforce this building law in particular while turning a blind eye to the looting and anarchy.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims’ houses may not occupy any larger than an 8x8 area, the rest of the lot must be unused.
- You may not place any items outside of this 8x8 area, nor modify tiles outside of it. Stairs count as taking up a space, so if you have stairs leading to your door and the stairs jut out from an 8x8 house, you've broken this restriction.
- The trash can, mailbox, sidewalk tiles, delivered newspapers and bills do not count for this restriction. They don’t need to be in the 8x8 area.
- The 8x8 area may be anywhere on the lot, but once designated may not be moved.
- Sims may extend the house underground within the 8x8 area.
- Sims may build upwards, as long as the higher floors do not hang outside the 8x8 area.
- Fences and gates may be placed on the ground level, just not walls.
- Sims may not perform influencing actions, such as "call to meal", "call over", or "go here with..."
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim rises up as a Leader of the Free World, they replace the current corrupted mayor with a new one who is focused on justice and stability. Political corruption is cleaned up. Building supplies from other parts of the country are shipped in and distributed to those who need it. The corrupt ‘housing permit’ laws are repealed. The prestige and notoriety gained by the family allows them to sway the actions of others, who see everybody from the family as a leader. The Political restriction is lifted.

12.
Restriction Name: Master Painter
Quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” - Albert Einstein
Description: With survival on everybody’s mind, the arts have virtually disappeared overnight. People are more worried about finding their next meal than they are about attending a concert in the park or buying art.
Restriction Conditions:
- No items from the “Wall Hanging”, “Sculpture” or “Rugs” tabs may be bought.
- No items that build creative skills (writing, guitar) may be bought or used except for the computer.
- Sims may purchase only one easel for the household in order to lift this restriction.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a great level 10 painter is produced from the family, a wave of culture is set off and art and music return to people’s minds. The Master Painter restriction is lifted.

13.
Restriction Name: Ghostly Encounter
Quote: “One death is a tragedy. 1,000 deaths are a statistic. Stop bothering me before you become a statistic.” - The Grim Reaper
Description: With the death toll in the thousands, the grim reaper has been pulling long shifts. He is so tired of the overtime and longs for a nice vacation. The whole region has become haunted with angry spirits.
Restriction Conditions:
- A Sim’s grave or urn may not be moved from the place it initially appears.
- Graves and urns may not be sold.
- Graves and urns may not be placed into inventory.
- You may not hold funerals for deceased Sims.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim from the household gains 100% relationship (full green bar) with a ghost, they begin to perform rituals to calm down the angry spirits. With the spirits of the dead calmed, the reaper can take a much needed vacation. The Ghostly Encounter restriction is lifted. In addition, you do not have to sell and replace beds for the Evil (Criminal) restriction, as your Sim has convinced the mob that doing so will anger the spirits. Graves may be moved to any spot on the lot, even if the Political restriction has not been lifted. The special police of the mayor does not dare interrupt funeral rituals; funerals with many guests, regardless of relationship may now be held for lost loved ones.

14.
Restriction Name: Master Gardener
Quote: “Why do they call it nuclear winter? Because everything is dead. The snow you see is toxic ash.”
Description: Any and all plant life in the region is dead. Nothing grows anymore. Natural and organic food is non-existent. With no plants to hold the soil together, the whole region is plagued with dust storms that block out the sun and whip across the land.
Restriction Conditions:
- You may not place any landscaping items (Flowers, bushes, trees)
- You may not alter the ground colour (apart from the initial change from grass to sand or dirt when you purchase the lot).
- You may not buy or place any items from the “Plants” tab.
- The Family House must be on a lot covered with either sand or dirt.
- Any kind of salad, vegetable or fruit may not be cooked, ordered at restaurants, eaten or bought pre-made. Reason? The food has to come from somewhere and if all the land around you is toxic ash, there's nowhere for that food to come from.
- You may not order food for delivery via the phone or computer.
- Sims may not use telescopes (too cloudy to see anything).
- Sims may not use the water tool from the landscaping menu.
- Houses MUST be built on pillars. Decks and foundation are too accessible by criminals, posing a threat to your Sims' safety and the ground is not stable enough to support walls. (You may still have objects on the ground within the 8x8 area, but walls may not be placed on the ground level)
- Fences and gates may be placed on the ground level.
- Sims may not garden. Period. No planting seeds, no watering seeds, no weeding plants, no harvesting fruits/vegetables anywhere on or off your lot. Nothing. Nada. Ever. Reason? Plants can't grow in toxic ash, which is what the ground is.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a great level 10 gardener emerges from the family, they invent a plant serum that lets plants use toxic ash as fertilizer without making the plant itself toxic. With this serum in wide supply, the region begins to return to life. Food can actually be grown again and people can have lawns. With plants once again anchoring the soil, the raging dust storms cease and the sky can once again be seen. The Master Gardener restriction is lifted.

15.
Restriction Name: Symphonic (Music)
Quote: “It’s the end of the world and you’re wearing THAT?”
Description: Sims don’t care about personal appearance anymore. They would rather be fed and safe than pretty. Cosmetics, hair care supplies, and clothing stores have all been cleaned out by looters or destroyed. Nobody wants to spend any money to bring these items back to the region. As a result, Sims’ appearances have taken a turn for the worst, leading most to keep to themselves. Large gatherings, socials, brunches and parties have virtually disappeared. The social elite of the region have long since fled for greener pastures.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may only use the “Practice Speech” interactions on mirrors. They may not brush their teeth, check themselves out, gussy up, admire self or change their appearance.
- Sims may not purchase or use anything from the “Wardrobe” tab.
- Sims may not purchase the decorative perfume set or the decorative cosmetics set.
- Sims may not throw parties of any kind.
- Sims may not have group outings to any lot.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim from the house becomes a Hit Movie Composer, they unleash their show “Stylish Eye for the Zombie Guy” on the world. The Sims of the region, seeing radiated zombies shambling around looking 10 times better than them, gain a renewed interest in appearances. The profits from the show are used to bring fresh supplies of cosmetics, hair care products and stylish clothing to the region. “Fallout wear” becomes a new trend across the country. Once Sims have bought their new threads and gotten all gussied up, they are once again confident enough to organize social gatherings and show off their new looks. Even some members of the social elite decide to return. The Symphonic (Music) restriction is lifted.

16.
Restriction Name: Thief (Criminal)
Quote: “It's not stealing! It's borrowing without asking!”
Description: Sim City has always had its share of theft. Even in peaceful, thriving communities, the occasional robbery is bound to happen, but with Vita Alto and her gang of political crooks breathing down the necks of self-employed thieves, no one dares try to enact a one-Sim theft for profit, for fear of the Alto mob coming after them for their cut of the cash.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not commit crimes while at work in the Criminal career.
- Sims must not do anything other than do their time if they are arrested while at work in the Criminal career. Vita doesn't want any self-employed thief to get better at their job by working out or making friends and she makes sure the prison guards give the inmates no opportunities to do these things.
- Kleptomaniac Sims may not swipe objects.
- Sims may not rummage through garbage bins.
- If a Sim comes home with new items in their inventory from work in the Criminal career, these items must be placed in the family inventory and never used or sold. These items may not be sold even after this restriction is lifted, because by placing the items in the family inventory, you are essentially "deleting" them from existence.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim in the family rises to the title of Master Thief, they have enough influence in the criminal community to bully Vita's mob into backing off and allowing self-employed thieves, kleptomaniacs and garbage rummagers to sell their stolen goods for full profit. After all, unorganized crime is better than organized crime, right?

17.
Restriction Name: Comforting Children
Quote: "Grandma, look at the picture I painted for you!"
Description: The combination of stress of living in fallout with the lingering radiation in the air has had a terrible effect on the minds of the elderly. Older minds decay faster and senility sets in early and badly. Surviving to elder hood in this new world is both a blessing and a curse.
Restriction Conditions:
- Once any Sim grows into an elder, you may no longer issue any direct commands to them, nor cancel any of their actions. You may still cancel actions that would otherwise break another restriction (such as playing computer games). You may also direct an elder to quit their job if they happen to miss a day of work with the Journalism restriction still in effect.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a child reaches level 6 in painting, they help the house’s elderly. Interacting with creative, imaginative children heals the mental and emotional damage done to the minds of the elders. They are slowly helped out of their cloud of senility and brought back to reality by their youthful friends. The Comforting Children restriction is lifted. NOTE: The child must still be in the child stage when they receive the sixth painting skill point to lift the restriction. The restriction remains permanently lifted even after the child grows old and dies.

18.
Restriction Name: Electric Rock (Music)
Quote: "OMG! I'm like, DYING of boredom!"
Description: Life in a desolate world is harsh to Sims of all ages. Younger Sims find the new world they are growing up in not only scary, but mind-numbingly boring as well. With no entertainment for kids and teenagers, concentrating on work is very difficult.
Restriction Conditions:
- Children and teenagers may not get help from other Sims to do homework, nor can they do homework with other Sims.
- Children and teenagers may not skill build with objects that do not also raise fun.
How to Lift Restriction: Once a Sim becomes a Rockstar, they provide some much needed entertainment to the house’s youngsters. With their minds finally stimulated, they can once again focus on school work and learning. The Electric Rock (Music) restriction is lifted.


19.
Restriction Name: Forensic Analyst (Law Enforcement)
Quote: "I think I'm paranoid." - Garbage
Description: Mobsters, Anarchists, Burglars… there is a lot out there that can get you. Even if these threats don’t directly harm Sims, the fear of them does. A thick blanket of paranoia has spread over the region. Sleep does not come easy to a fearful mind, and the idea of these ‘bad guys’ out to get Sims is enough to keep most awake at night.
Restriction Conditions:
- Sims may not sleep in a bed or on a couch with an energy rating higher than one plus sign. It is not that there are no comfy beds available, but that a Sim’s paranoia interferes with getting a good night’s sleep. Beds, chairs and couches with energy ratings higher than one plus sign may still be bought and used, except for sleeping.
- To help comply with this restriction, you may sell and replace any beds with one of a different energy rating. The new bed must be the same size as the old one, and in the exact same position.
- Infant and toddler Sims may still sleep in cribs; they are too young to know paranoia.
- Sims with 10 athletic skill points may ignore this restriction, as they know they can pummel any threats that may invade the house.
- If the Special Agent (Law Enforcement) restriction is lifted, the energy limit raises to two plus signs or lower, as Sims start to sleep a little bit better at night with the human police intact. To truly be rid of their paranoia and have a good night’s sleep a Sim needs…
How to Lift Restriction: A top level DNA Dynamic Profiler Sim will help paranoid Sims sleep soundly at night.

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If You Have World Adventures...

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The following applies to people who own the WA expansion pack. If you have WA, these are added restrictions under a few of the categories that apply to you. If you don't have WA, disregard these added restrictions.

Military
- Sims may not go on vacation.
- Once this restriction is lifted, you may bring Elders on vacation with you, but if the Comforting Children restriction has not been lifted, you still cannot issue them commands.
- If your family has Sims that are too young to travel, they may not go on vacation, since there are no babysitters to care for them while your family is away.

Journalism
- Sims must quit their job as soon as they come back from a vacation. They have missed days of work while on vacation.
- Elders and Teenagers must also quit their jobs when they come back from vacation.

Culinary
- Sims MAY eat fruits, vegetables and dishes that contain fruits and vegetables in foreign locations.
- Sims MAY make more than one meal a day in foreign locations.
- Sims MAY use appliances in foreign locations.
- Sims MAY bring fruits, vegetables and dishes that contain fruits and vegetables home from foreign locations, but these count towards the three item limit per Sim if the Professional Sports restriction hasn't been lifted.
- Sims may NOT bring back food/beverage making devices home from foreign locations (such as the fortune cookie maker and the wine maker).

Business
- Sims MAY purchase decorative items, relics, and books in foreign locations, but the three item limit per Sim still applies if the Professional Sports restriction hasn't been lifted.
- Sims MAY put decorative items from foreign locations in their homes, such as the incense holders, but the Criminal (Evil) restrictions still apply if that restriction has not been lifted.
- Valuable relics are an exception to the "replaceable items" rule. Vita can't resist taking such rare, precious items for herself and these must be placed in the family inventory and never taken out o sold again when the mob comes to call.
- Relics worth less than 100 simoleans after being analyzed may be left in the house without penalty since Vita has no interest in such petty things.
- Sims may call for services in foreign locations.

Special Agent (Law Enforcement)
- Sims may call for emergency services in foreign locations.

Medical
- Sims may bathe in foreign locations.
- Sims may use dishwashers in foreign locations.
- Sims may swim in pools in foreign locations.
- Sims may WooHoo without Trying for a Baby in foreign locations, but they must go back to using Try for Baby as soon as they get back home.
- Sims may purchase and bring home the Shower in a Can for use at home, but the three item limit per Sim still counts if the Professional Sports reastriction has not been lifted.

Professional Sports
- All restrictions from this category still apply in foreign locations. The radiation in the air back home has made your Sims too sickly and weak to do strenuous tasks even on vacation.
- Sims may not clear rubble or use Pangu's Axe while exploring tombs.

Science
- Sims may purchase/use any and all electronics while on vacation.
- Sims may use the computer for games, online chatting and surfing the Internet in foreign locations.
- Sims may purchase/use any and all objects from the Lights category while on vacation.
- Sims may use their cell phones and the trash compactor in foreign locations.

Politics
- Sims may purchase and build vacation homes in any foreign location. The building restrictions back home do not apply to vacation homes, but all other restrictions for WA still apply if they have not been lifted.

Master Painter
- Decorative and creative items may be purchased and used in foreign locations.

Ghostly Encounter
- Urns and graves may be placed anywhere in foreign locations (if your Sims die in a tomb or fire or something of that nature), but can't be taken home with you.
- You may hold funerals in foreign locations, but not back home.

Master Gardener
- Greenery, trees, flowers and shrubs may be placed on a lot in foreign locations.
- Sims may eat any kind of food and order food in foreign locations.
- Sims may use telescopes in foreign locations.
- Sims may use the water tool in the Build menu in foreign locations.
- Houses do not have to be built on pillars in foreign locations.
- Sims may garden in foreign locations and bring the food back home with them but the three item limit per Sim still applies if the Professional Sports restriction has not been lifted.

Symphonic (Music)
- Sims may change their clothes and appearance in foreign locations.
- Sims may purchase the decorative makeup set and perfume set in foreign locations.
- Sims may purchase/use dressers and mirrors in foreign locations.
- Sims may gussy up and admire self in mirrors in foreign locations.
- Sims may throw parties and have outings in foreign locations.

Evil (Criminal)
- The Protection Tax does not apply in foreign locations.
- Relics and other souvenirs that are brought home from a foreign location and are worth over 100 simoleans must be given to the mob (placed in family inventory forever), regardless of whether or not you can replace it in Buy mode. Vita and her mob just can't resist taking such rare and precious items for themselves.

Theif (Criminal)
- Kleptomaniac Sims may steal items in foreign locations and Sims may rummage through garbage in foreign locations. Sims can bring these items home with them, but the three item limit per Sim still applies if the Professional Sports restriction has not been lifted and if the stolen item is worth more than 100 simoleans, it will be subject to Vita's Protection Tax back home if the Evil (Criminal) restriction has not been lifted.

Comforting Children
- Children may go on vacation and continue to practice their painting skill while on vacation. This is actually a good way to lift this restriction easier, since Sims don't age in foreign locations and it gives you more time for the child to lift the restriction before their birthday.
- Easels may be purchased and used in foreign locations, but they cannot be carried to and forth from foreign locations, since the easel takes up more than one square.
- If a child lifts this restriction while on vacation, the restriction is lifted immediately and you may control Elders for the remainder of the vacation, as well as at home.

Electric Rock (Music)
- Children and teens may skill build with objects that do not also raise fun in foreign locations. They are on vacation and therefore are not boredom-stricken like they would be at home.

Forensic Analyst (Law Enforcement)
- Sims may sleep in any bed with any energy rating in foreign locations. There are no burglars or criminals prowling the night there so your Sims feel safe enough to get a good night's sleep on vacation.


Back to Normal

The skies clear, the zombies are gone. The power plants are repaired and life returns to normal. The family stands as a testament to a Sim’s will and ability to survive. The whole city owes a great debt of gratitude to the host of leaders and heroes that have emerged from the family. Congratulations!

Your score is the total number of days that have passed since your founder returned from college. Even if you didn’t keep score, it’s impressive that you completed the challenge!

Want an even harder challenge? Try this challenge again, except start your founder as an adult.

FAQ from Pinstar

“What happens if I break a restriction by mistake without lifting it first?”
Technically you fail the challenge. However, small goofs won’t cause you to fail as long as you fix them immediately. For example, if you move a couch before lifting the Professional Sports restriction, you can just move it back to exactly where it used to be when you realize your error and not fail. If you goof and forget to pay protection money, just pay it as soon as you realize. If a Sim autonomously does something that breaks a restriction (like playing games on the computer before you lift the Science restriction) just cancel their action as soon as you notice it. You won’t fail the challenge just because of that. Knowingly breaking an unlifted restriction (giving up) will cause you to fail the challenge.

“Do you have any suggestions as to which restriction I lift first?”
I have my personal favorite, but I don’t want to say. The first two restrictions lifted (one by the founder, one by their spouse) have the largest implications. I’m curious to see what unique pairs of restrictions people decide to lift first to make the 2nd generation easier. All I can advise is that you look into what each restriction is really doing to you and decide which ones hamper your play style the most.

“My Sim has already hit the top of a career field. Does that mean they are not allowed to go to another career?”
Your Sim can go to another career field, and even reach the top of it. However since they already lifted one restriction, reaching the top of a 2nd career path will not unlock its restriction. That doesn’t mean they can’t reach and stay at the top to earn the family money. Just remember that, unless the Journalism restriction has been lifted, Sims cannot return to their old careers.

“What if I lift a restriction on an item when another restriction still says I can’t use it. Can I use the item?”
Unless a restriction specifically says you can use an item, even if other restrictions are in place, you must lift all the restrictions on an item to use it. For example, the Science restriction says you cannot use anything from the electronics tab. The Smoke Alarm is in this tab, and thus restricted by Science. The Law Enforcement restriction also says you cannot buy or use smoke alarms. If you lift the Science restriction, but not Law enforcement, you are allowed to use electronic items but the Law Enforcement restriction still restricts the Smoke Alarm. If you lift the Law enforcement restriction, but not Science, you may use the Smoke Alarm. The text of the Law Enforcement restriction specifically says you may use the Smoke Alarm, even if it is still restricted by others. The same goes for actions. While lifting the Military restriction will allow you to invite anybody over, even for parties, you still have to lift the Symphonic (Music) restriction to have parties at all.

Mmyoko

Ooh gosh, so much to read... I'll have to try it sometime... when I get sick of my current family.

- Mmyoko out.

MaxCalifornia

Mmyoko wrote:

Ooh gosh, so much to read... I'll have to try it sometime... when I get sick of my current family.

ditto! bookmarking

AndyT

If only there was a way to create a mod that would enforce the rules of a challenge...

Ashleigh825

Haha, that would be nice, AndyT.

Rad6380

Sorry if I missed this (there are a lot of rules ) but can you go visit Sims at their houses? Just wondering how else you can bag a mate without using community lots or inviting people over...

transcendentaltree

This is really good. I'll have to try this sometime.

There is one mistake I found though. When a sim gets pregnant, they not only get off two days during the pregnancy, but they also get time off once the baby is born. There are only a couple of high level jobs I can think of that they wouldn't get fired from. The astronaut only works once a week, and the rock star works whenever they feel like it, but I think the rest would get fired (except the top of the Journalism career, of course ).

Ashleigh825

I'll work on a way to fix this rule. Thanks, transcendentaltree.

No, you can't visit other Sims' houses unless you have a car. A good tip I can give you to get a mate is to have your first Sim become an Astronaut and focus 100% on their career so they reach level 10 in their adult years, which lifts the Military restriction, allowing you to go mate-hunting.

This challenge is very intense and requires a lot of intricate thought. You'll have to come up with creative ways to lift restrictions and continue the family, but feel free to exchange tips and strategies here with other Simmers.

Rad6380

Another question - are lots where sims go specifically to take classes rather than socialise acceptable? (I'm assuming so, otherwise the master painter restriction couldn't be lifted)

Also: I don't think anywhere in Riverview costs 6,800. The nearest I've found costs 7,200 unless I'm missing something?

Re: pregnancy. As they get four days off, what about saying if they miss more than two days, the rules kick in? That wouldn't change the rules too much.

Rad6380

Also: in the food restrictions it refers to the fridge yet it also says the only appliance you can buy is the cheapest grill - so is a fridge allowed or not?

Rad6380

Here's a screenshot of my build so far. If a fridge is allowed I'll put one in but haven't done so yet. My sim hasn't done anything yet because I wanted to check this was all within the rules before I started properly.

Thanks for setting this up, I'm looking forward to running it alongside my normal legacy, and I'll blog it as well once it gets up and running. Looks fun, but looks soooo hard!

PS I bought the 7,200 lot in Riverview with that being the closest to the challenge spec.

jmz95

Thank you so much! I have read both your Charm Legacy story and now your apocalypse story, and I absolutely love them both! You are such a good story writer! I wish I could be that good. Thanks again for posting this and I hope Pinstar gives you permission!

jmz95

Rad6380 wrote:

Here's a screenshot of my build so far. If a fridge is allowed I'll put one in but haven't done so yet. My sim hasn't done anything yet because I wanted to check this was all within the rules before I started properly.

Thanks for setting this up, I'm looking forward to running it alongside my normal legacy, and I'll blog it as well once it gets up and running. Looks fun, but looks soooo hard!

PS I bought the 7,200 lot in Riverview with that being the closest to the challenge spec.

I'm assuming that you can get a fridge because looking at the screenshots of ashleigh825's apocalypse challenge, she has a fridge. I also did the same thing you did for the lot in riverview.

AudreyR

On the Master Painter restriction, how can you raise painting skills without being able to buy an easel?

Cdwrds7

Are these restrictions for all the sims in the challenges or is it just per sim?

Like the founder only has restrictions for military or all of them? Then the next sim has restrictions on all accept the one they are working on, or they have the military restriction lifted, and then theirs once they are finished?

amchristian

This looks like a lot of fun. I'm definitely going to give it a whirl.

I was also wondering how you raise the painting skill if you can't buy an easel.

No items that build creative skills (painting, writing, guitar) may be bought or used except for the computer.

Aerri

Love this!

@Cdwrds7: All sims have all restrictions on them until a sim lifts a restriction, at which point the restriction applies to no sims ever again.

Cdwrds7

Thank you Aerri , I would love to try this challenge, but I think the op has dropped the subject, I haven't seen her answer any questions.

There is too many unanswered questions, too bad, it sounds like an awesome challenge.

Aerri

Well, it's only been two days. Here's two rules, besides the no buying easel/guitar one, that I don't get:

- Sims may not “restock” items, or delete out-of-stock items larger than one square. (I have absolutely no idea what this means. Is this a sims2 rule? I never played sims2. What is restocking?)

- If a Sim misses a SINGLE day of work for any reason (including pregnancy) they must quit their job. (If a pregnant Sim is lucky enough to have 2 days off in a row and they time their 2nd and 3rd days of pregnancy on those, they can keep their job). (I don't think that's how pregnancy works. You also miss days of work after the kid is born. Furthermore, you miss work days after the kid is born NO MATTER WHAT- maternity leave post-birth gives you a set amount of workdays, regardless of career. Thus, my understanding is that pregnancy will destroy your career no matter what until this restriction is lifted)

amchristian

All good points, Aerri. Hopefully we can keep pointing these things out until we get all the rules customized for Sims 3. I am definitely doing this challenge, even if I have to tweak a few things on my own. hehe It just sounds so fun and challenging to me.

Aerri

agreed

Cdwrds7

Gosh, your right Aerri, sorry op, for some reason, I had thought this had been up for a couple of weeks. Oops on my part.

First question, yes from sims 2 business.

Second question, I believe she was going to fix that.

Sorry op, really I am, I didn't realize it had only been 2 days.

amchristian

Has anyone started working out a strategy for how they want to tackle this challenge yet? I'm reading and rereading the challenge rules to try and decide which restrictions to remove first. I'd love to hear other ideas.

Cdwrds7

Someone mentioned doing the military first, so you could roam the neighborhood and find a mate.

Aerri

Definitely hard to get the founder married without him/her being an astronaut. My thoughts are:

1) Snag the mailman/woman. If your founder isn't the right gender to do this, you are out of luck...

2) Become best friends with the paper route kid, wait for him/her to grow up, then invite him over via car (creepy, and will take a long time!)

3) Become best friends with someone from work (will take a long time!) and then invite them over via car.

4) Become a power broker, then order pizza / maid and marry him/her.

P.S: Raising athletic skill without a TV, treadmill, and classes... is it possible? I'm not entirely sure. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Does catch train you in athleticism?