I think that’s exactly what it is. They do these confusing pricing schemes hoping people will overbuy and “put up with” the extra features they didn’t actually want or need. They want you to have to sift through their product inventory before buying. The other factor is that product identity is sometimes not even centered around product features, but rather around an ad campaign with a sexy spokesperson, sports sponsorships, or some kind of performative group affinity. This is especially true for large corporations that have their hands in many cookie jars.

Glad to know I’m not just getting too old and out of touch for the internet. :P