Steam is home to thousands of video games ranging from indie gems to massive AAA titles, with prices that vary from free to hundreds of dollars. Most players are used to paying anywhere between $10 and $60 for a game, depending on its popularity and content. But among the vast Steam catalog, a few titles stand out not because of their gameplay or graphics, but because of their extreme price tags. The priciest game on Steam has gained attention not for its entertainment value, but for how much it costs often sparking debates over value, exclusivity, and even whether these games are serious offerings or satirical art pieces in disguise.
The Most Expensive Game on Steam
The Hidden and Unknown – A Shocking Price Tag
As of recent listings,The Hidden and Unknownholds the title for the priciest game on Steam. With a price of $1,999.90 USD, it stunned many players and quickly became the subject of online conversation. This indie game, developed by a solo creator, isn’t marketed as a typical AAA experience. Instead, it’s a short narrative-driven title with experimental themes and a story that unfolds over a very brief playtime around two hours or less.
- Price: $1,999.90 USD
- Genre: Narrative / Psychological
- Developer: Unknown small developer
- Playtime: Roughly 1-2 hours
The game touches on personal philosophy, the developer’s own experiences, and ideas about masculinity and self-discovery. While it may not appeal to the average player in terms of gameplay, its pricing strategy appears to be more symbolic than commercial.
Why Is It So Expensive?
The developer has stated that the price of The Hidden and Unknown is intentionally high to make a statement. The game is described as a personal piece and not something created for mass consumption. Some players consider it an example of interactive art, where the cost becomes part of the experience itself challenging norms and provoking discussion about the nature of value in digital spaces.
Other Extremely High-Priced Games on Steam
While The Hidden and Unknown currently tops the list, it’s not the only game with a jaw-dropping price. A handful of other titles and DLCs on Steam have pushed the limits of what’s considered reasonable, often for humorous, symbolic, or satirical reasons.
Ascent Free-Roaming VR Experience – $999.00
This VR title is listed at nearly $1,000 and features a short cinematic space journey designed for high-end VR headsets. While visually impressive, its price far exceeds what most would consider fair for the content provided.
1000 Dollar Simulator – $999.00
Intended as a joke or commentary on microtransactions, this game offers no real gameplay. It’s a satirical take on spending money for nothing and it delivers exactly what it promises: a digital product with no actual use.
Rich Life Simulator 2019 – $999.00
Another simulation-style joke game, this title mimics the concept of living a wealthy lifestyle but doesn’t offer gameplay depth or real interactivity. It’s another example of developers using Steam as a platform for satirical art.
Is There Value in Expensive Steam Games?
The definition of value in video games is subjective. For many gamers, value is measured in gameplay hours, replayability, graphics quality, and fun factor. But some developers use high pricing as a form of artistic expression or to create curiosity and exclusivity. While it’s rare for people to actually purchase these expensive games, they do succeed in generating discussion and visibility.
Collector Mentality and Exclusivity
In some cases, high-priced games attract digital collectors people who take pride in owning the rarest or most unusual content on platforms like Steam. Owning the most expensive game can be seen as a status symbol, similar to limited-edition items in real life. This form of digital ownership is part of a growing niche where value is tied to exclusivity, not content.
Art, Irony, or Marketing?
For many of these expensive games, the high price is part of the message. Whether it’s ironic, satirical, or a form of protest against the state of modern gaming and monetization, it grabs attention. Some games are developed more for artistic statements than for entertainment. For example, The Hidden and Unknown may not be playable in the traditional sense, but its pricing forces players to confront their assumptions about what a game should be and how much it should cost.
How Steam Handles High-Priced Games
Steam doesn’t have a strict upper price limit for games, but Valve does monitor the platform for abuse. Developers can technically list games at almost any price, as long as it doesn’t violate Steam’s terms of service. However, overly expensive games with misleading or inappropriate content may be removed or flagged for review.
Steam’s refund policy still applies to these high-priced titles. That means a user can request a refund within two hours of playtime and within 14 days of purchase a useful safety net for curious buyers who may regret a pricey impulse buy.
The Role of Community Reactions
Online forums and Steam reviews often reflect confusion, amusement, and occasionally outrage when it comes to these expensive listings. Some users take the pricing as a joke, while others analyze it seriously. Regardless of intention, these games often receive significant attention because of how drastically they contrast with typical pricing models.
Review Bombing and Discussion
Games like The Hidden and Unknown have received mixed reviews. Some players praise the bold artistic vision, while others criticize the content-to-price ratio. Whether loved or hated, these titles succeed in starting conversations, and sometimes that’s what the developer intended all along.
Would Anyone Actually Buy a $2,000 Game?
Surprisingly, yes a small number of users have purchased these games. Whether out of curiosity, support for the developer, or as a social experiment, a few copies of even the priciest games have been sold. However, this is extremely rare and not representative of most consumer behavior.
Steam charts and analytics sometimes show that these games register a few sales, which often surprises the gaming community. It raises questions about whether these purchases are genuine, ironic, or part of viral marketing strategies.
More Than Just a Price Tag
When looking at the priciest game on Steam, it’s clear that price alone doesn’t always reflect value in the traditional sense. Titles like The Hidden and Unknown challenge the gaming industry’s norms and explore what happens when cost becomes part of the narrative. Whether viewed as satire, art, or provocation, these games serve as reminders that the world of digital entertainment is more diverse and more unpredictable than ever. While most players may never buy a $2,000 game, they might still find value in the conversation that these games inspire.