If you've played this game before, but haven't been active in the last year, you won't be able to use your old account:
"All former players who are not currently active and have been active at least once in the last 12 months are eligible."
I don't think I want to go through the trouble of trying to make a playnet account again. I still remember the terrible website inferface. They should also have ditched that playgate stuff. Trying to remember which name to use (playnet name, game name) is always a pain in the butt.