A $200 joke game went viral
Michael Major, an 18-year-old developer, launched a Steam game that came with a shocking $200 price tag. The high cost wasn't meant to sell a high-quality product, but to see how many people would buy something just for the humor.
Major’s goal wasn't about long-term sales. The game’s description called it a 'psychological experience.' He aimed to make buyers question the value of money and video games. The game looked convincing at first glance. But the money never stayed in Major's pocket for long.
Refunds turned the game into a Steam Points farm
Most buyers ended up asking for a refund after purchasing the game. The reason? They wanted to earn Steam Points, a digital currency given for spending. People would buy the game, receive their Points, then immediately request a refund to keep both the Points and their money.
After all refunds, Major ended up with just $2,045 from over $1.3 million in revenue. While that’s a small amount compared to the game’s gross, it’s impressive for a joke and showed how a high price point can influence buyer behavior.
What buyers did matters more than the price
The game showed that people are willing to pay absurd prices if it feels like a clever deal or a challenge. However, once they realized what they'd bought, they quickly left. Steam’s refund policy allowed them to exploit the system for Points without losing their money.
Major didn’t expect his joke to take off like it did. He described the game as 'the swindle to end all swindles.' He got exactly what he asked for—people tried it out for fun. But, as expected, few stayed for long.