I dont think you can throw this on the Vets. Most still play the way they have always played, but the new guys dont want/seem to follow anyone any more. Your right, the FPS type game is what these new players base their game play on. Unfortunately this game doesnt excel at that type of play.
Todays players are all for themselves and few look to bring the fun to others as they play. Personally Id rather fight a guy outside his ack bubble after he has gotten a bit of alt, but far to many players today NEED that kill count and so will run through the ack until one of them is dead. I have run my jug out of gas a number of times looking for or waiting for some one to come out of the ack and fight.
OddCaf, the former leader of the Ronin, use to run ops each week, many times during the day when he was on, or when a few of us logged in at the same time. Long time player, gone due to the lame crap most players now use and call a great game play. 10 years ago players not only liked the type of game play that Im talking about but they stayed in the game much longer, coincidences?
If the game is allowed to continue the way it is played now how long will it last? Going by ranks ( i know, not the most reliable way to track the data) we are losing on average 100 players a month. FSO and scenarios are only going to hold the doors open so long, and we hear about the number drops there as well.
If the ship is sinking, even slowly, maybe a tweak or two could help right it again.