I honesty think this mode has been put in the satisfy the MMO generation and PvP players. Thankfully it doesn't use your actual ship or have a bearing on the main game too much.
Lets hope Frontier have some coop, PvE and stuff planned for those who don't PvP. I'm not much of a PvPer but I'll defo play this game mode with my friends on and off. I suspect to climb high in ranks you'll need a decent joystick and combat knowledge of pips, weapons and tactics. It looks nice but yes it does feel a bit borrowed/stolen from No Mans and Star Citi.
It doesn't do much for the blaze your own trail go where you please meta though does it?