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A game that started as a joke turned into one of Steam's biggest stories this week. According to reports, 18-year-old Michael Major released a game and set the cost at $200. He even named the game, This Game Costs $200. The reason why he limited the price to $200 was that Steam doesn’t allow anyone to set a price bigger than that.
Neither the developer nor the players believed that the game could cost that much. The description of the game said, “a psychological experience,” and the developer further explained this part, saying, “where I try to convince you that this game truly does cost 200 dollars.” However, the psychological thing apparently worked as it initially earned $1,345,650.
The twist is the developer didn’t get 90% of the money. Players only bought the game to get a refund. So, after everything, the developer only received $2,045, which is significantly less than the gross earnings.
Now, reports claim that most players purchased the game to earn Steam Points. Steam has a policy where the more a player spends on games, the more they will receive Steam Points. Once the Steam Points are credited, even if the game is refunded, the points remain the same. This makes them get both points and money.
Also Read: Ultimate List of the Best Steam Games for Every Gamer in 2026
Joke games are nothing new on Steam. Some are made just for fun, while others are created to test how players react. Their strange ideas often grab attention much faster than normal game launches.
Once people start talking about these games, more users become curious. Videos, memes, and social media posts help spread the news even further. This attention can lead to thousands of sales, even if the game offers very little.
This case shows that big sales numbers do not always mean big profits. Refunds can quickly reduce what a developer actually earns. The game may have become famous overnight, but the final result proves that internet buzz does not always turn into real income.
