GTA 3 PS2 - Factory Sealed?

[slickhit]

As the title suggests, I am looking for some advice as to whether this is an actual factory seal or not. I believe Sony only began using ‘PlayStation 2’ branded ribbon seals around 2003 - hence this being a 2001 release, it has a blank ribbon seal (?). Appreciate any input.

https://imgur.com/a/iy8Gqck

[dhaabi]

I can't really attest to this item's authenticity. However, I will point some things I've noticed from the items on eBay which are marked as new.

black case/no ribbon (this may even be your copy as both sets of images seem to match, particularly the side of the case which opens)
black case/ribbon
blue case/no ribbon
blue case/ribbon

Of course, a game like Grand Theft Auto was never going to just be manufactured once, so there are variants which all seem fairly credible. I'm no expert on sealed items, though. I just figured I'd bring attention to the matter of the ribbon's presence or absence.