First, I want to say I absolutely love this game, and I know it takes time to make updates. I appreciate everything you did to make this game. With that being said, when I am watching a tournament with bots, sometimes when I close the game it goes back to a few races that I already watched. If you could look into that and see if there is a problem there, that would be great.
Another problem I've had that I've seen you have in your videos is sometimes an athlete just flies. This is super annoying and if you could find a way to fix it, that would be great.
Something I find a little annoying is the skis. Sometimes the temperature is perfect, and some of the athletes just zoom by during the downhill sections. I think instead of/in addition to the temperature, there should be pre-race waxing or something and if you get the waxing right, your skis glide very well.
Another thing to make the game more realistic is to make each integer for the "shooting speed" parameter more drastic. IRL, athletes can gain a lot of time by shooting fast, and in the game, you can only gain about 2-3 seconds max. It would also make it easier to stay with the pack in harder levels where you have to shoot more carefully.
I agree with everyone who wants 60 athletes in each league and in races like the Sprint and Individuals, while 30 are in the Mass Start, Pursuit, and Relays.
Another suggestion I have is it would be cool to add a feature where you could make custom tracks. Can you also add bot photo finishes? Maybe you could click on a name in the start list and you'd be able to see their photo finish. For bot tournaments can you let the player choose which circuit they want to spectate instead of always World Cup?
Next, I think it would add to the game if you had no limit on the boosts of an athlete (Finisher, Second Breath, Steel Nerves) and make it so you can choose how much their speed increases and how much energy they get back. Also, for each format you could choose different amounts. Also, I think the lunges at the end are such a cool thing, but it would be even cooler if the faster you go, the farther you lunge, because not every athlete lunges the same distance. I know all of this is a lot and I understand completely if it doesn't align with your vision of the game's development.
Fifth, slightly longer penalty loops so it would be more important to shoot clean. (12-15 seconds instead of 7-10 seconds)
Sixth, in real life there are a lot of relay teams even in the men's and women's relay. In the game, I sometimes only have like 5 or 6 teams; in the next update, could you add a whole bunch of athletes that are starting to make their way up the World Cup in minor countries like Tamara Steiner, Lea Rothschopf, Maya Cloetens, Valentina Dimitrova, Lora Hristova, Maria Zdravkova, Benita Peiffer, Emily Dickson, Susan Kuelm, Noora K. Keranen, Paula Botet, Johanna Puff, Hannah Auchentaller, Beatrice Trabucchi, Karoline Erdal, Natalia Sidorowicz, Anastasia Tolmacheva, Emma Kapustova, Maria and Zuzanna Remenova, Lea Meier, Khristina Dymtrenko, Kelsey Dickinson, and for the men: Blagoy Todev, Tomas Mikyska, Kristo Siimer, Danilo Riethmueller, Patrick Braunhofer, Vladislav Kireyev, Renars Birkentals, Maksim Makarov, Johan O. Botn, Konrad Badacz, Dmitrii Shamaev, George Coltea, Anton Ivarsson, and Viktor Brandt.
Seventh, I would like to be able to look back on the ending scores for a previous career season, (transfer the data from the "Total Score" and "Results" section of the season to the season summary.) Along with possibly a line chart for the total score(s)!
Next, something along the lines of slip-stream. For example, if you're directly behind an athlete, you lose less energy.
I loved the animations you did for the start of the mass start races for beta 6.1. Another thing to possibly add is for the beginning of the pursuit, relay, and mass start races, you could have the cameraman go to the top starters and have the athletes wave.
I would like to see an extension of the podium cutscene if it's possible; have an announcer calling up each athlete. Disciple globe ceremonies as well as relay podiums would be appreciated. (Don't know if you have any of this planned for upcoming updates!)
Another thing I think would add a lot but is only a small innovation is an athlete's height. It could affect the look of the athlete and possibly how the targets appear when they shoot!
Lastly, when a biathlete tucks on the downhill, you could add the little foot movements they do so it looks more natural when the athlete changes direction.
Thank you!
Shoutout to Adam Rys. Their ideas are very thoughtful and I agree!