Some definitely seem disconnected from reality. Sometimes it's as simple as someone trying to recoup on losses from a less successful game/print. Not many people involved in games are making much money, I know some people in that industry and it's not even able to support any of the designers or anyone I know as their full time thing. And these folks work on pretty well known stuff: History Channel licensed stuff, Shadowrun, Catalyst & Fantasy Flight games.

I've never bought a game personally, just played what other people were willing to fork out for.