Eighteen-year-old developer Michael Major, operating under Stolen Valor Studios, created a game titled This Game Costs 200 Dollars as a joke. Released on January 30, the title was a follow-up to a similarly priced game, This Game Costs 10 Dollars. Major did not anticipate significant sales, describing his creation as a "psychological 'comedic' experience." However, months after its release, the game had generated nearly $1.4 million on Steam.

Most of the purchases originated from China, and a significant portion of these were immediately refunded, often without the game being played. Major told WMUR-TV, as reported by GamesRadar, that he is unsure of the exact reasons behind this trend but speculated it might be related to advertising or a "scheme." He also noted the possibility of expensive games on Steam being used for illicit purposes such as money laundering, though he admitted he has no definitive knowledge of this occurring with his title.

The game's Steam store page leans into its absurd premise, with descriptions ranging from "200 dollars worth of pure joy, amazement, and awkward conversations" to "the swindle to end all swindles." Major maintained that the game is real and offers a "mind bending experience unlike anything that has ever been done before." Despite the tongue-in-cheek presentation, the game is a retro-styled top-down adventure-RPG where players explore rooms, interact with NPCs, and receive developer interjections reminding them of the game's high price and perceived value.

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Reviewers have noted that the $200 price tag is not justified by the game's content, which is described as simple and low-effort, though also possessing moments of amusement and cleverness. Major completed the game himself but does not intend to explore alternative endings.

Major's claim that he priced the game at $200 because it was the maximum allowed on Steam appears to be inaccurate. Other titles on Steam, such as Congratulations On Your Purchase and The Leverage Game, are priced at $1,000, while True Love costs $500, and Beach Volleyball Competition is listed at $290, indicating Steam does not impose such a strict ceiling on game prices.

Ultimately, Major's net earnings from This Game Costs 200 Dollars amounted to just over $2,000, which he views as a respectable outcome for what began as a teenage joke. The significant refund volume means the developer does not retain the vast majority of the gross revenue generated.