They do it on purpose and it really does make sense. For everyone who supported the game they got the very best value of it. It sucks to pay full price only to have a sale pop up a few weeks or months later and you think “ah, I should have waited!” You buy the game, you support the devs, they keep working on the game, the game gets more, the price goes up for more game.
I wishlisted it when it was under $20. The price went up and up and didn’t go down. When I learned it was intentional and would never be cheaper, I bought it and eventually sunk 300 hours over loads of updates. Now the price tag is higher and I get to think “I’m glad I bought it when I did” and not “I should have waited”
The best time to buy Factorio was 8 years ago. The second best time is now.
We re-re-re-re-re-re-re-released Skyrim once again over the last 10 years, it just doesnt have the same traction. It’s just that these audiences are only interested in a game for 6 months max.