Here's the real problem with Planetside (from the PS Forums):
How long have you been playing Planetside?
88 Vote(s) - Since Beta (34%)
80 Vote(s) - Since Launch, May 2003 (31%)
48 Vote(s) - Started between August-December 2003, (Core Combat - October 2003) (19%)
19 Vote(s) - Started between January-June 2004 (7%)
9 Vote(s) - Started between July-December 2004, (Aftershock - October 2004) (3%)
12 Vote(s) - Started between January-June 2005 (5%)
0 Vote(s) - Started between July-December 2005 (0%)
2 Vote(s) - Just started January 2006 (1%)
Total Votes: 258
A vicious circle of self-constricting Pareto's Principle then, as the longer it is since beta, the harsher it is for the new player, as the old school get better and better. Note that the above respondents are people who started at the date given, and are still playing, as opposed to people who started mid-2005 and got driven out within a fortnight.
Hard to see how the situation can be reversed, but I suspect it'll take more than just the upcoming 'Fodderside' offer. Good job I hate myself really, or I'd have left for good a long time ago too!