Microsoft memo reveals '08 releases

An internal memo from Microsoft games chief Don Mattrick (graciously reprintedin full by Dean Takahashi) reveals some interesting (and not sointeresting if you're not into number crunching) tidbits regardingMicrosoft exclusive releases in '08 as well as projections for thesales performance of the system in the coming year.
While themajority of the discourse throughout the memo is simply corporateglad-handing and peptalkery, one paragraph in particular casts aninterestingly speculative light:

Quote:

In 2008 the hits willcontinue to come with exclusives including “Halo Wars,” “Too Human,”“Fable 2,” Alan Wake,” “Splinter Cell: Conviction,” and severalexciting yet-to-be-announced titles. Xbox 360 will be home to the nextversions of great franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil,and we will continue to be the leading choice for sports fans, with thenext editions of Madden and FIFA looking and playing better on ourplatform.

While the release of Halo Wars, Fable 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell: Conviction, and Too Human in 2008 were to be expected, Resident Evil 5 (which, while not specifically mentioned is likely the Resident Evil to which the memo refers) was widely thought to be coming out in 2009. Notably missing is any mention of Ninja Gaiden 2, which could mean nothing or could indicate a delayed release.
Mattrickgoes on to note that by the end of 2008 the Xbox 360 will be "theleader of this generation of consoles" (or so he believes). Mattrickappears to have reached his conclusion via the trend of previous topdogs producing the most third party revenue; an example the Xbox 360has followed though whether that trend will continue in these headydays of (supposedly) skyrocketing Wii sales remains to be seen.