10 More Embarrassing Product Placements In Video Games
1. PlayStation - FIFA
Much like you'd see in a real football match, FIFA titles feature a bunch of advertisements in the form of pitchside ads. This is an odd example of in-game advertisements that could arguably be defended, as you could make the point that their inclusion leads to a more authentic experience. McDonalds are trying to advertise their new £6.99 Double McChicken Tower Burger at me in FIFA 24! Wow, it’s like I’m really at Old Trafford Stadium!
The authenticity does come with an embarrassing side effect however, depending on which platform you play FIFA on.
Since 1997, PlayStation have been one of the UEFA Champions League’s many sponsors. As a result, the PlayStation logo is often slapped across the side of the pitch when a Champion's League match is broadcast on TV.
The slightly embarrassing side effect of this sponsorship deal is that the advertisements in FIFA games mirror the ones found in real matches, which means that PlayStation advertisements can be found in countless FIFA games on both Xbox and Nintendo platforms. The Sony ads are so prevalent that Nintendo once basically ran a 30-minute advert for the PS4 Pro at Gamescom when EA showed off FIFA 19 on the Switch.