I have no doubt that such marketing practices are effective, but that’s not to say that they are ethical. There are some rather shockingly disgusting business practices in the gaming industry - Conan Exiles’ cosmetic exclusives are rather tame by comparison, though still annoyingly unfair.
I wonder if a study of ethics makes up a component of your typical marketing degree. Ethics in Marketing 101, that sort of thing.
You’ve inspired me to make a suggestion.