Bottom 5
1: Sony
Jesus, guys. If it's not floundering in your back yard, it's canceling Christmas. The media giant is definitely teetering, here, and though its considerable hardware empire probably won't completely die if the PS3 tanks, it sure won't recover in the next decade. Situations like this are best when put into song, and this case is no exception.
2: Take-Two
Despite publishing BioShock and possibly bringing turn-based strategy to next-gen consoles, Take-Two finds new an amazing ways to jam their foot into their mouth on a seemingly daily basis. If it's not T&A in GTA, it's OJ playing for The Assassins in All-Pro Football. Take-Two isn't beyond saving, but they also can't get much lower than they are right now.
3: The ESRB
Similar to Take-Two is the ESRB, only on the other side of the constant black eye coin. If it's not pissing off an industry luminary, it's getting into a pissing contest with Bethesda over a user mod. And while they are the stalwart guardian between the industry and the government, should the ESRB be something we come to associate with ugly, prolonged battles over content the silent majority will never see?
4: The PC
Oh, PC, my dear friend. It's time for us to stop talking. You see, OS X is really great, and Vista is a total dog. On top of that, all your good games are coming out on the 360 anyway, and while I love my 20-inch monitor, my 50-inch TV is so much more expressive! If New E3 taught me anything, its that the consoles really have caught up to you, and they're cheaper over a five-year span. Maybe you can visit if I decide to run Bootcamp on the Power Mac, but I'm gonna be really busy with all my new friends.
5: Linden Lab
Well, the cat is out of the bag. Second Life isn't the metaverse, only a step in the right (if fur-covered) direction. Between the flying penises, the anti-corporate "terrorist" groups and the undercurrent of deviant sexual activity (this is separate from the flying penises), the game is neither a cash cow nor home to 2 million people. Props to Linden Lab for some great marketing, and their users are without a doubt a dedicated group of people, but dedication and hype doesn't make William Gibson come alive. The world found out the hard way.
Until Next Time...
That's it for this edition of The Escapist's Power Rankings. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back soon for revisions and updates!
