Re: Dead? hamsters I hope not...
Nah. Each update will bring new players, and bring back many of those leaving now. What will keep the Mod dynamic and growing overall (with the inevitable waves in and out) will be content that gives players what they don't get in vanilla. For many, that's the Star Wars theme. For others, it'll be lots more maps, as Bloedig_Vader said -- vanilla is SADLY lacking, in that department.
Two other things work in the Mod's favor:
First, all those people who *need* rewards for their play will feel let down when they get to Brigadier General. No more unlocks, very few and difficult medals/badges left. They'll be looking for something new. And, trust me... if they want to play for the rewards, they'll end up getting to BG rank soon enough.
Second, the first release of most mods are for the fans to see/get a taste of what's to come (before they get bored waiting), and for the Devs to get something out there, to show those fans just what they've been working on, all this time. After the bugfixes, the second & third releases usually have loads more cool stuff, and some slick demo videos which really pump up the fans, and get posted on all the game news sites, bringing in loads more fans.
Trust me, so long as they keep building it, they'll come.
a.k.a.: Grandma Tarkin // hQ.Terrorek
Today's spelling/grammar tip: There = a (sometimes conceptual) place. "There is my car." or "There is such a thing as magic." // Their = posessive. "Their meat is full of worms." // They're = contraction of <they are>. "They're crazy!" // "They're trying to put their shoes up there."