Sorry Microsoft, but Forza Motorsport 3, Halo: Chronicles, Mass Effect 2, and Scene It? 3 aren't surprises.

 You're right. FFXIII was announced in 2005 making music was wrong.

it was quite unexpected but it could be considered useless if they dont get it in Japan.

I heard the same thing last year from Sony's 2008 line-up and they are pretty even this year, so i think they can manage this again for 2009.

2009 will be the year of the "sequel". Likely candidates:

360:
- Assassins, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Too Human(?), Halo (as stated), Alan Wake, ...

PS3:
- GT5, Uncharted, Rachet, LAIR (lol, probably not :>),

Wii:
- Zelda, Fzero, Mario(?), Kid Icarus, Rogue Squadron(?), Pikmin, WiiSports, (any number of franchises...).

...plus RE5, FFXIII, KH, multiplats (including some above games like Assassins), ...

Gaming wise, I'm predicting its going to be the best, and *bloodiest* year EVER by a long shot. Forgot '08 - '09 will decide the HD victor this generation. Expect a $100 cheaper PS3, possible slimline 360, coloured Wiis, ...

 A reminder of announcements in 2008:

- Gears 2 @ GDC 08

- Star Ocean IV exclusitivity, The Last Remnant coming first on 360 @ Microsoft Japan Spring Event 08

- Fallout 3 exclusive DLC, FF XIII coming to 360, LIPS/Youre in the Movies to tap into extended audience, Rock Band 2 coming first to 360 @ E3 08

- Tekken 6 coming to 360, Halo 3: Recon @ TGS 08

(Im sure Im missing a few)

The point is that next year, you can count on more surprises for 2010 releases. The point is not what is announced next year for next years release.

I think Microsoft have a few aces left in all honesty. They haven't really had to play the "we have xyz game" coming cards yet. Reason for that is PS3 and Wii have not exactly had breathtaking news for sometime have they. If you go back to E3 now and look at it you would have to say the whole FFXIII going multi was the big news. There was nothing in the PS3 camp to create the same buzz. The whole MAG thing seems to have died on it's ass now people probably have to pay to play etc... Then we got to TGS. Nothing came out of that show from Sony or Nintendo so i would think Microsoft aborted their announcements as was rumoured at the time. It would serve no purpose saying "xyz is coming out in 12 months" that is not Microsoft style. Where as Sony used a game that has not even been started on, has no screenshots, and little detail as the game to advertise their system in E3. A game that was minimum 2010 they said.
To me that shows a lack of things coming when you advertise at the worlds event that and at TGS you dont even have a conference.
So i think the dude is right. They will wait until the right time to announce them. They will announce them to counter-act the announcements of the other platforms. That is how this gen has gone.

• Halo Add-on (confirmed)
• Alan Wake (confirmed)
• Resident Evil 5 (confirmed)
• Final Fantasy (maybe 2010?)
• Splinter Cell (you forgot this one - confirmed)
• Bioshock 2 (don't know about release-date but 2009 is possible)
• Assassins Creed 2 (likely)
• New Lionhead project (anything can happen)
• new Rare project (same)
• Tekken 6 (for those who are interested - confirmed)
• Forza 3 / Project Gotham Racing 5 (very likely)
• Halo Wars (you forgot this one, too. - confirmed)
• Mass Effect 2 (don't know about the release date)
• Star Ocean 4 (confirmed)

Just a list of games, that will keep a xbox360 user busy.