It really depends on what you want to achieve in the game. After all, it is just that. I cut back on guild activities to focus on family life and finishing farming SEE and feel much better for it. I still try to get to #1 in fleet, but if I don't, its not the end of the world.
The same applies to GAC. If I win, great. If not, at least I won't move up a bracket. In the last few months prior to the changes I started winning more consistently, even made Kyber a couple of times, and this has carried over to the new model.
I've learned how to construct my roster better, improve my modding, and how to counter. Granted having executor on defense helps me win more reliably, but I take more risks in GAC now and it has made me a better player. I face some players with focused rosters, possible alts, and some with lots of G12s and massively bloated GP.
Even without considering the increase in crystals, I do prefer the change. I'm glad I don't have to worry about hitting kyber anymore. I imagine a lot of players feel the same way. Let the top players have their kyber.