The reason I'm disagreeing with this is because there are still over 100 people browsing these forums on a daily basis. At the Isen -start, that audience reached over 200 people. Granted, not all of them play rohan (e.g.: Seal Online) and some of them are (google)bots - deducting those, still leaves you a 'fair' amount of possible viewers.
That there really won't be any current players turning their backs on this is stretching it quite far. If, so to speak, I decide right here to quit this and join this private-server once it opens, since I can now easily track its progress through said link.. then this whole assumption just become moot.
There are, indeed, people who've spent enormous amounts of money, albeit irresponsible. Though, I'm quite certain there are also the ones who never did. Taking me as an example, I've played for a very long time - but never invested all that much. Sure, if you count it all up through the course of the years, it might get past the 3-400 dollars - but given the timespan, that's hardly a lot. Some people spent that on a monthly or bi-weekly basis.
But just look at Jin - countless of those BIG moneyspenders - and it is now deserted. Why did some even get back on Isen or why did they ever leave Jin to begin with? Considering their expenses over there?
I'm from the opinion that the least you 'root' yourself into something - the more fun it gives you as you don't feel 'forced' to continue what you are doing. This, of course, doesn't go for all things in life but imho suits well for mmorpg's.
One could regard me as a special person - or with special needs if one insists - but I'm fairly certain that I'm not THAT unique that I'm the sole person (still) around, who hasn't spent all that much.