The steps provided are not guaranteed to achieve 1st Place. I just entered a 47kg perfect quality oversized watermelon into the crops competition, against a normal quality small watermelon and an excellent quality oversized lettuce. Before the end of the competition, both the competitors had spoiled (there was a teen hanging around them pouring something on them but I have no idea what it was). I diverted the teen away from my watermelon successfully, and STILL PLACED 2ND. I really don't understand how they're being ranked and judged. Did not interact with the mayor once, mayor judged my watermelon and had heart emoji. I only play with UI Cheats Extension and MCCC installed to manage bugs or alter pregnancy length for long lifespan. This bug has been around for years.
Maybe the reputation of the sim helps too? I'm having the opposite problem. My Global superstar sim is best friends with the judge, but actually has a really bad reputation. I get too many first prize wins with oversized crops as long as it's perfect quality. I'm trying to get the other ribbons for the collection. I don't think this is really a bug, it's more of a tuning issue. It seems to be random and not always the best one wins. That's why there's an option to bribe the judge.
Maybe I'm alone in this, but I want to win without bribing the judge! Plus the one time I tried she didn't go for it haha
