I' not keen on playing it much myself either, but if it creates demand for cards and asset prices go up, that is a benefit to SPS and the ecosystem. Better yet, the prize for this whale format will be coming directly from Splinterlands company (SMC), so initially there won't be any impact to the SPS currently given out in ranked play. Ultimately, it will come down to the SPS stakeholders to decide whether Survival Mode is worthy of taking a cut from SPSDAO rewards for the new format.

At the end of the day, if it is good for the ecosystem, then this will be a lasting format. I think it will be interesting how the strategies around the format develop. It will also be interesting to see how soulbound reward cards will be handled. I caught an Aftersound video where he was saying 80% of all summoner BCX are Soulbound Chaos Legion summoners. YIKES!