【Ice & Snow | The Sims 4】Chinese Twelve Star Periods Challenge

The West has twelve zodiac signs, while China has twelve star periods, dividing the heavens by constellations. The ancients split the ecliptic into twelve sections; according to historical records, China's twelve star periods were already established during the Han Dynasty. China's star periods are based on the lunar calendar and are closely linked to the 24 solar terms, the 12 two-hour periods, and the 28 lunar mansions.

Basic Requirements

• Generational Legacy: Each generation represents one star period. Aside from the listed requirements, you're free to customize appearances. Using Chinese names is recommended to match the challenge theme.
• Game Rules: Cheating is not recommended, but CC (custom content) is allowed.
• Challenge Goal: You must complete each generation's set goals. If the main Sim dies mid-generation or fails to meet the goal, the challenge is lost.
• Inheritance System: Each generation's heir must be chosen from children born to the previous generation, symbolizing the endless renewal of the Chinese people.

Challenge Content by Generation

First Generation: Xingji

Background: Lunar month 12.7 to 1.5 (Major Snow to Winter Solstice). “Xing” means star, and “Ji” means record. Xingji is the starting point of the twelve star periods, symbolizing the foundation. As the founder, you're an orphan who arrives alone in Brindleton Bay, loving nature and family.

• Traits: Animal Lover, Family-Oriented
• Aspiration: Country Caretaker
• Skills: Max Gardening skill, max Cooking skill
• Career: Max Gardening career
• Requirements: Have three children, befriend each child, and have at least two local friends. Regularly enjoy fishing, caring for the garden, and living in harmony with animals.

Second Generation: Xuanxiao

Background: Lunar month 1.6 to 2.3 (Minor Cold to Major Cold). Xuanxiao symbolizes the seed. You're full of passion for the world, eager to make new friends, but often only have a fleeting interest. You crave city life and move to San Myshuno as an adult.

• Traits: Vegetarian, Outgoing
• Aspiration: City Native
• Skills: No skills restrictions, but no skill can exceed level five.
• Career: You experience a lot but lack consistency; must successively reach level three in Writer, Law, Tech Guru, and Athlete careers, then quit each time.
• Requirements: You change jobs constantly your whole life, only settling down to find a partner in adulthood. Have only one child. Make many friends, but all relationships stay shallow.

Third Generation: Juzi

Background: Lunar month 2.4 to 3.5 (Beginning of Spring to Rain Water). Juzi represents the core of the plant. As an only child, you're used to your parents' attention and crave being the center of it. You move to Del Sol Valley, determined to become a big star.

• Traits: Self-Absorbed, Confident
• Aspiration: World-Famous Celebrity
• Skills: Max Acting skill, max Charisma skill
• Career: Max Actor career
• Requirements: You want to be surrounded by people; have three or more children, and possibly more than one partner.

Fourth Generation: Jianglou

Background: Lunar month 3.6 to 4.4 (Waking of Insects to Spring Equinox). Jianglou represents the stem of the plant. You resent your parents' self-centeredness and want to live your own way. You're kind and helpful; as an adult, you escape from your parents and move to Copperdale, adopting a cat for companionship.

• Traits: Good, Loyal
• Aspiration: Friend of the World
• Skills: Max Logic skill, max Handiness skill
• Career: Max Doctor career
• Requirements: Marry your high school sweetheart. Influenced by your upbringing, you dislike overly large families; have only one or two children.

Fifth Generation: Daliang

Background: Lunar month 4.5 to 5.5 (Pure Brightness to Grain Rain). Daliang symbolizes stored energy, with a connotation of strength. You're independent and goal-oriented. After college, you move into a dormitory and settle near the university town after graduation.

• Traits: Genius, Bookworm
• Aspiration: Nerd (e.g., Master Painter or related academic aspiration)
• Skills: Max Handiness, max Robotics, max Rocket Science
• Career: Engineer
• Requirements: You have a strong thirst for knowledge and think romance is a waste of time. On the day you become an adult, you decide to have a “science baby” through scientific means.

Sixth Generation: Shishen

Background: Lunar month 5.6 to 6.5 (Beginning of Summer to Grain Buds). Shishen represents tender branches. You're sensitive, and because of a lack of parental attention growing up, you become withdrawn. As an adult, you move to Moonwood Mill, away from the hustle and bustle.

• Traits: Gloomy, Unflirty
• Aspiration: Renaissance Sim (not required to complete fully)
• Skills: Max Wellness skill, max Writing skill
• Career: Freelancer – Writer
• Requirements: After leaving home, you barely contact your parents; only return home when you receive news of their death. You marry and have children later in life.

Seventh Generation: Chunshou

Background: Lunar month 6.6 to 7.6 (Grain in Ear to Summer Solstice). Chunshou represents tranquility. You have a steady personality and are mature for your age. Influenced by your parents' melancholic nature, you learn early to comfort others. You study psychology but ultimately decide to join the police force.

• Traits: Proper, Perfectionist
• Aspiration: Bodybuilder (not required to complete fully)
• Skills: Max Fitness skill, max Logic skill
• Career: Max Detective career
• Requirements: You never move out of the family home. Your partner must have the “Kleptomaniac” trait.

Eighth Generation: Chunhuo

Background: Lunar month 7.7 to 8.7 (Minor Heat to Major Heat). Chunhuo represents the heart of the phoenix, symbolizing vibrant vitality. You love challenges and the unknown; as an adult, you head to StrangerVille to uncover its secrets.

• Traits: Active, Goofball
• Aspiration: StrangerVille Mystery
• Skills: Max Fitness skill, max Logic skill
• Career: Military branch – Covert Operator
• Requirements: Solve the mystery of StrangerVille together with your partner.

Ninth Generation: Chunwei

Background: Lunar month 8.8 to 9.7 (Beginning of Autumn to End of Heat). Chunwei represents tree roots, symbolizing resilience. You're down-to-earth and yearn for a peaceful life, but you have a vivid imagination. As an adult, you move to Tartosa, the wedding destination.

• Traits: Creative, Art Lover
• Aspiration: Master Painter
• Skills: Max Painting skill, max any one instrument skill
• Career: Painter branch – Master of Realism
• Requirements: Before starting the next generation, write and publish at least two original song compositions.

Tenth Generation: Shouxing

Background: Lunar month 9.8 to 10.7 (White Dew to Autumn Equinox). Shouxing represents fortune and longevity. You grow up in a harmonious, loving family, full of romance and joy. You're a hopeless romantic; as an adult, you move to Sulani.

• Traits: Cheerful, Romantic
• Aspiration: Serial Romantic
• Skills: Max Charisma, max Piano skill
• Career: Simfluencer
• Requirements: You go through many relationships, only deciding to settle down in adulthood and marry your best friend.

Eleventh Generation: Dahu

Background: Lunar month 10.8 to 11.8 (Cold Dew to Frost's Descent). Dahu represents the warm light of dawn. You're personable, but your excessive perfectionism sometimes stresses out those around you. You choose to settle in Evergreen Harbor.

• Traits: Perfectionist, Neat
• Aspiration: Eco Innovator
• Skills: Max Handiness, max Fabrication
• Career: Civil Designer
• Requirements: Your partner must have at least one trait in common with you.

Twelfth Generation: Ximu

Background: Lunar month 11.9 to 12.6 (Beginning of Winter to Minor Snow). Ximu represents the wooden fence that blocks the “Milky Way.” You have a strong will and a forceful personality. As an adult, you move to Komorebi.

• Traits: Ambitious, Mean
• Aspiration: Extreme Sports Enthusiast
• Skills: Max Mischief skill, max Fitness skill
• Career: Athlete
• Requirements: Complete the aspiration and leave the next generation behind. Though the challenge ends here, the story of the twelve star periods opens a new chapter.

Design Intent

Designing the “Chinese Twelve Star Periods Challenge” stems from a love of traditional Chinese culture. We hope to showcase gameplay with Chinese characteristics through The Sims 4. Each generation is set with only two core traits, aiming to leave players more room for creative expression and imagination. Have fun with the challenge!