Lead dev of one of 2025’s best games goes on a wild ramble about pricing, but hold up, let him cook — it actually makes perfect sense, and he’s right
January 14, 2026
As the gaming industry evolves, the challenge of pricing games becomes increasingly complex. Publishers are tasked with the delicate balancing act of ensuring profitability while also providing players with a fair deal. A key aspect of this process involves not just the numerical value of a price, but the psychological perception of what that price signifies to consumers.
Understanding Pricing Perception
In a recent interview, Kaman, a lead developer behind the highly anticipated game Another Crab’s Treasure, shared insights that illuminate this intricate relationship between price and perception. He reflected on the pricing strategy for their previous title, PEAK, which was set at .99. Kaman humorously posed the question, “How much is a game really?” and elaborated on the mental gymnastics players perform when evaluating costs.
“In a player’s mind, what does it mean to spend five bucks? Well, that’s five bucks. But six bucks? Well, that’s still five bucks,” he explained. This playful yet profound analysis reveals how consumers often round prices to more palatable figures. For instance, he noted that can feel like , while .99 strategically avoids the psychological barrier of reaching .
Would PEAK have sold as well as it did if it was, say, .99 instead of .99? It’s interesting to think about. (Image credit: Aggro Crab, Landfall Games)
This whimsical yet insightful commentary invites reflection on personal purchasing habits. Many consumers, myself included, often find themselves subconsciously rounding prices to “neat” figures, which can create a deceptive sense of value. Kaman’s observations suggest that pricing PEAK at .99 was a strategic choice, as it aligns with the common perception of being closer to , despite its actual value being nearer to .
Moreover, the success of PEAK is evident in its impressive sales figures, surpassing 10 million copies in its first year. A notable portion of these sales occurred during promotional periods when the game was discounted to .95. This pricing tactic, while seemingly trivial, plays into the psychological aspect of consumer behavior, as .95 feels significantly lower than , even though the difference is merely four cents.
Such pricing strategies not only reflect an understanding of consumer psychology but also highlight the innovative approaches that developers are employing to navigate the competitive landscape of the gaming market.
Lead dev of one of 2025’s best games goes on a wild ramble about pricing, but hold up, let him cook — it actually makes perfect sense, and he’s right
As the gaming industry evolves, the challenge of pricing games becomes increasingly complex. Publishers are tasked with the delicate balancing act of ensuring profitability while also providing players with a fair deal. A key aspect of this process involves not just the numerical value of a price, but the psychological perception of what that price signifies to consumers.
Understanding Pricing Perception
In a recent interview, Kaman, a lead developer behind the highly anticipated game Another Crab’s Treasure, shared insights that illuminate this intricate relationship between price and perception. He reflected on the pricing strategy for their previous title, PEAK, which was set at .99. Kaman humorously posed the question, “How much is a game really?” and elaborated on the mental gymnastics players perform when evaluating costs.
“In a player’s mind, what does it mean to spend five bucks? Well, that’s five bucks. But six bucks? Well, that’s still five bucks,” he explained. This playful yet profound analysis reveals how consumers often round prices to more palatable figures. For instance, he noted that can feel like , while .99 strategically avoids the psychological barrier of reaching .
This whimsical yet insightful commentary invites reflection on personal purchasing habits. Many consumers, myself included, often find themselves subconsciously rounding prices to “neat” figures, which can create a deceptive sense of value. Kaman’s observations suggest that pricing PEAK at .99 was a strategic choice, as it aligns with the common perception of being closer to , despite its actual value being nearer to .
Moreover, the success of PEAK is evident in its impressive sales figures, surpassing 10 million copies in its first year. A notable portion of these sales occurred during promotional periods when the game was discounted to .95. This pricing tactic, while seemingly trivial, plays into the psychological aspect of consumer behavior, as .95 feels significantly lower than , even though the difference is merely four cents.
Such pricing strategies not only reflect an understanding of consumer psychology but also highlight the innovative approaches that developers are employing to navigate the competitive landscape of the gaming market.