Microsoft's 360-exclusive title is now looking likely to be a 2009 release, after Remedy's long-awaited sandbox-action game was conspicuous in its absence at today's MS Gamer's Day in San Francisco.

Heavy-hitting 2008 releases including Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, 2, Too Human and II will be talked-up at the event, but there's not a mention on Alan Wake, sadly.

TVG cites an MS representative as confirming Alan Wake's absence from the showcase, this huge title now far more likely for 2009 than this side of Christmas. The silence from publisher and developer on this has of course been quite deafening of late, so it's little surprise that the game has now been quietly moved back.

More from California as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge