I think the only thing they ever did right with PVP was Garo. That got people into PVP, the results were attainable but yes you had to PVP for them and actually put in the effort (not comparing them to the Feast rewards btw) and if you REALLY wanted to show off, you got all of them and the Makai Master title. Your ability to do so wasn't dependent on anyone else -- just the investment of your own time and effort.

Hopefully whatever this new mode is will have more events like that.