E3 08: Microsoft eying up $199 Xbox 360

Microsoft’s

recent price changes

in North America have already positioned the company’s machine as a real contender to both the high-end PS3 and the family-friendly Wii – but MTV claims that $199 is the price the platform holder has in mind.

MTV Multiplayer’s Patrick Klepek claims that at a lunch with several games journalists yesterday, Microsoft’s corporate VP of strategy and business development Shane Kim said that $199 is the price at which consoles do the most business.

He reportedly added that whilst it will be a while before Xbox 360 approaches that RRP, though it is apparently on its way”. It is also claimed that Microsoft has a firm date set in mind for this milestone, going as far to say it is written down”.