https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo#xenforo-comments-3844282
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo#xenforo-comments-3844282
Real brand ads are going to be a thing in any racing game that has a real world license. Or even without a license, since Pole Position had Marlboro and Pepsi billboards in 1982.
One of the Need For Speed games definitely had serious product placement for the Sidekick (which was not a Nokia phone btw).
The early 2000s were a long time ago, okay? Lol