SOE has announced that it will open the "Combine" server With a new "progression" ruleset.
Basically, the game starts off with the original EQ....no expansions enabled and aome of the old zones/mobs reset.
You progress through the expansions..unlocking them one by one.
Some basic things will not be changed:
Basic balance changes will not be changed (unless they interfere with the gameplay)
The "new" Freeport will not be reverted to Old Freeport (Groans about)
The boats are not promised....but the developers have mentioned that they are now working (finally) and expect that they will return.
A few other things.
Name reservations are open now, the server will launch around June 28th.