[EDIT]: Now that realistic mode is a random mode within Arcade, this thread is no longer relevant.
The Bad:
*Few players play this mode
*Sometimes takes 5+ minutes to get a game.
*Often 1 vs 1 (1 player and bots)
The Good
*10% increased reputation
*Low repair costs since you only get to die once per a ship
*A different strategic game-play than arcade mode
Recommendations:
*Increase Reputation gains to 15%
*Add 5-10% increased credits
*Reduce maximum wait to 3 minutes.
*If no players are in the que after the max wait, then allow the player to fight bots. (Yes this creates a very easy way to farm, but if more people try to take advantage of this then obviously they are going to be fighting players instead of bots)
Edit:
Idea from a friend of mine. Maybe reward 1-2 Gold Standards for winning in Realistic? That’d help the game mode.