TLDR: After trying the new system, for my area (south of France), attendance did not suffer greatly and there was more changes in between weeks. The new system has big problems (LL points, participation in others area probably, match fixing) but the precedent system was not better on all aspects imo

I must add I come from a very specific position, I started around Dynasty and took the local judge mantle because I couldn't pay for a full deck, so this season was the First Time I got to play a PQ/RTN because some players wanted to try judging after winning (got to play 2, won 1 the last week)

it lessens it but far from invalidates it for me, I think there is a part of personality in that. I'm here to play and have fun, not because I'm super competitive so having the usual killers out of the room just let me feel like I have a shot and motivated me instead.

I'd argue passing down the invite is not a full replacement because of prizing, the LL Roll of honor and player satisfaction. Being first feels better than 4th even if you get the invite and if some people were absent.
The system has defaults but only this would not all the initial 'problems'