cc rank should have requirements for playing minimum amount of match

[FatCatEnjoyer]

not everything in this game needs to hand out a participation trophy

[Reinhardt_Azureheim]

not everything in this game needs to hand out a participation trophy

And the current result of it is that by technicality, all metal ranks (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) have no genuine reason to play ranked because their reward currently is:

- 1/2/3/4 Series levels worth of Trophy Crystals (which you will gain 2-10 times the amount just reaching those ranks, depending on skill / speed / queues)
- boring adventurerplate elements that are carbon copies of each other season after season

Less players at the bottom duking it out means less fresh blood reaching the higher ranks (Diamond + Crystal). If you don't give "participation trophies" as you call it i.e. a reason to even play if you simply aren't that good to reach Diamond+ consistently, you will starve out the player pool over time. No amount of matchmaking adjustments or various other methods one might suggest help with metal ranks lacking players, whereas Casual mode can be played actively without issues.

Also, we had "participation" trophies before - Wolf Collars used to be Ranked exclusive and were handed out from Bronze all the way to Top 100 in different quantities (back when Hellhound weapons were still unique to it). It wouldn't be the first time.