It looks like Sony is going to start allowing people to play planetside as much as they want for free. The only catch is that you can only go up to battle rank 6, at which point you can continue to play, but wont gain XP.
The recently re-launched their website with a completely new design
A community member over at the planetside site made a pretty cool fan trailer of the game to promote this new system. It is actually a pretty impressive video. You can view it here.
There is also a somewhat older video made by a different community member that is equally as impressive. You can watch that video here.
Anyways, here are some of the details of the thing taken from the planetside site
Q: What is the demo program PlanetSide Reserves?
A: Demo players will be able to download the PlanetSide Reserves demo and will be able to play for free through Battle Rank 6. Once they reach BR 6, they will be able to continue to play the game, but will not accumulate additional experience points unless and until they upgrade to a paying account. On exit from the game after each play session, players will be taken to a website that will allow them to purchase the game client and upgrade to a paying account. Upon purchase of the game client, you will receive an additional 30 days of play after upgrading your account. This offer is not available for existing PlanetSide accounts.Q: Is Battle Rank 6 the maximum rank that PlanetSide Reserves accounts can reach?
A: Yes. The PlanetSide Reserves accounts can only progress up to Battle Rank 6 (BR 6). Once BR 6 is achieved, you will be able to continue to play the game, but will not progress further unless you purchase the game client and upgrade to a paying subscription.Q: How do I access PlanetSide game files to try it out?
A: We will provide you a location to download the demo game files. There will be a link on PlanetSide.com with more details.Q: How would a PlanetSide Reserves account user convert to paying subscriber?
A: On exit from the game, you will be taken to a website that will allow you to purchase the game client and upgrade to a monthly subscription for the price indicated on the website, which includes the opportunity to obtain the Battle Frame Robotics (BFRs), the giant robot units, and gain more XP to progress through higher Battle Ranks. With higher XP you will be able to gain new implants, better weapons and higher command ranks.Q: How long can I play the demo?
A: The program will run for a fixed 12-month period. The length of your demo time will depend on when in the promotion period you sign up. If you sign up on the first day, you will have almost 12 full months of gameplay. If you sign up one week before the end of the program, you will have one week of demo time.Q: When a PlanetSide Reserves account converts to a paying account, what happens to the characters and account if they decide to cancel later on?
A: Once an account converts over to a paying account, normal cancellation procedures apply. To play that account again you will need to enter billing on it. Please note, only one PlanetSide Reserves account per Station Account will be permitted.
The rest can be found here.