What makes you think it won't? Free games exist on Steam (and high paid games are sometimes too), you never really know
Viewing post in A full Amanda the Adventurer game is coming in 2023! comments
I mean I suppose yeah, mainly since its an additional team being added and they would need to be paid but again - working hard on something doesn't always equal its going to be paid, like passion projects. Maybe it'll get funded by donations/patreon-esque funding, and it'll be free...or Not, who really knows. I've seen some people upload games for Free, then have a DLC avilable that acts like a donation to support them, so maybe they'll do that. Idid however recently learn it costs a fee to list a game on Steam, so sure if thats the same as publishing it but either way I dont mind buying it, or supporting it if funding is an option.