Teen’s video game makes over $1 million online, but he can’t keep it

PEMBROKE, N.H. —

What was supposed to be a cheap laugh with his buddies almost ended with 18-year-old Michael Major getting one big payday.

Michael created a video game called “This Game is Worth $200” and published the game on Steam back in January. Steam is a website where you can buy video games online and play them right on your computer at home. The game actually costs $200. He just figured no one would buy it.

“It is the sequel to ‘This Game Costs $10,’ which was made two weeks before. $200 is the maximum you’re allowed to price a game on Steam,” said Major.

A few months later, he realized people did buy it – thousands of people.

“I saw $1.3 million. I think I almost died,” said Major.

The problem is that Michael did not actually make seven figures, only $2,000. According to Steam data, most people who bought the game live in China and returned it without even playing it.

“They might be buying it to return it instantly so that they can get some sort of points for the highest amount possible without actually paying $200,” Major said.

Michael said it’s unusual for that many people to return a game without even opening it once. Not to mention, the buyers are concentrated in one region. He thinks someone either posted an ad for his game overseas or there is some sort of scheme happening.

“I’m not joking. I have heard of expensive games on Steam being used for money laundering. I have no idea,” Major said.