If you try out the game I would suggest doing the first 25 matches alone so you actually have a decent matchmaker the moment when you join me you gonna learn to be in the big leagues. :p
Oh Solaris is bassicly a 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 and it gives you sponsers and ranking. Also if you wanna go full try hard competitive each year is a world championship.
They have Solaris now which might be interesting if you're a solo player but you have a better chance liking the game if you have a group to play with.
Well I been playing it for more then a year now so I say yeah. BUT that counts for faction play were each unit fights for planets or 'fame' or just both. :p