Viral Steam Game Made $1.3 Million But Creator Only Got $2,000 After Mass Refunds
An 18-year-old developer from New Hampshire created a viral Steam game called “This Game Costs $200” as a practical joke, deliberately setting the price at the maximum amount then typically allowed for standard Steam listings. He expected no one would actually purchase it at such a premium price point. The experimental game unexpectedly became a commercial success, generating $1.3 million in total sales. However, due to a massive wave of refunds, the creator, Michael Major, ended up receiving only $2,000 from the release—a stark contrast to the impressive initial revenue figure. The unusual sales pattern revealed that the majority of purchases came from China, which Major found particularly curious given both the high price point and the humorous, joking nature of the game. Despite the disappointing personal payout, the story highlighted the unpredictable nature of viral moments in digital storefronts.