This joke game that costs $200 earned the developer $1.3 million on Steam, then the refunds came in

Published Aug 5, 2026, 1:14 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Developer Michael Major priced a joke game at Steam's $200 maximum. The game grossed $1,345,650, but refunds left the dev with $2,045. Buyers likely bought it to farm Steam Points, then refunded it to get the money back while keeping their points. How much would you pay for a joke Steam game? One developer released a title hoping that people would drop $200 on it. As it turns out, people did come out in droves to give the game a try, racking up $1.3 million in game revenue. Unfortunately for them, they never got to see that money as owners refunded the game and left the dev with a fraction of what was paid. "This Game Costs 200 Dollars" takes home a tiny portion of what could have been People weren't willing to stand by their purchase As reported by WMUR-TV, 18-year-old Michael Major released a game that costs $200, and went so far as to name it "This Game Costs $200." He picked that number because it's the highest price tag Steam let him set his game at, so he just set it at the maximum price and sent it. Of course, he didn't actually believe his game was worth $200, as is apparent by the game's description: Have you ever been swindled? Like really swindled? Because this game is the swindle to end all swindles. This game costs 200 United States dollars, or whatever that is in your currency. That is a lot for a video game. He also calls the game "a psychological experience," purely because of the part "where I try to convince you that this game truly does cost 200 dollars." And on the surface, that psychological convincing seemed to have worked, as the game had earned $1,345,650 over its lifetime in gross. However, Major didn't get to cash out big time, as people were buying it only to refund it later. The real amount that Major got to pocket came to $2,045, which isn't nearly as much as the millions listed in the gross, but is still pretty great for what's essentially a joke game. Major suspects that people were buying the $200 game to get lots of Steam Points, a digital Steam currency where the more you spend, the more of them you earn. Once the transaction had completed and the Steam Points were given, they'd refund the game, keeping both the Points and their money.