Zone has never EVER been about bases, and I think the concept is quite overused. Bases are pretty much a pathetic gimmick to introduce "community content" to coverup the fact that no server can produce a steady, stable, and reliable events system as of now. Zone is STRICTLY about event planets, each one featuring a different event for different levels of fun.
This mixed with the ability to buy new cool and unique weapons to aid you in different stages of combat, the different characteristics along with strengths and weaknesses of the classes you can use for any circumstances, the mellow community (referring to PC of course, Zone for iPhone will most likely be the most chaotic), and the overall neat sic-fi appearance and style makes for a well deserved Gold server, Zone. NO bases are necessary.
Of course that's not to say there aren't certain event planets that require you to capture bases with your team to win the game, but that's an actual event, not a failed and overused gimmick.