Valve is closer to physical because they have a market place. In a way it’s more fair then any other game. (They still control the marketplace so it’s not as fair as physical). Also as a slight defense to digital, at least we’re not manufacturing and shipping more plastic waste for landfills just so people can get their gambling kick.

I mean, it’s not different. Pokemon and MtG also have departments to try to entice users with fomo. It’s what marketing is. It’s why they have limited runs, promotional crossovers, etc. Valve is just more open about the process.