Just the fact that you think in terms of game time cards invalidates your opinion. The game will do very well in the long run. Much better than SWG.
As with all MMOs, or for that matter anything in the culture, there is an initial mad rush of lemmings who want to be like everyone else and say they have played. (See Aion, AOC, Rift, Darkfall etc.)
Then the " game is dying" posts start, posted by folks with absolutely no knowledge of the real numbers. These are usually accompanied by the "no end game" posts by those who rushed to level cap to impress someone.
Finally, a new "latest thing" emerges and the game is left to those who actually take the time to enjoy it.