In case you felt your simulated reality gaming experience was lacking a certain candy-colored pop starlet, The Sims Studio has announced their plans to team up with Katy Perry for exclusive in-game content. A special Perry-flavored collector's edition of The Sims 3 Showtime will drop in March 2012, preceded, presumably, by a heavy stream of advertisements featuring the singer herself.

The studio says they'll be working closely with Perry to model in-game accessories, looks, and furniture after her particular performance aesthetic. So expect lots of eye-blinding coloring and extra-cartoonish shapes.

It could just be me, but I get the feeling that Maxis et al may have overestimated the overlap between Sims players and Katy Perry fans. Sure, The Sims has always held a wide net open with regard to the kinds of people it attracts, but only the most dedicated Sims fan--or the most rabid Katy Perry follower--would shell out extra for a special edition featuring the performer.

I'm also a little bummed that the once-pure parallel universe of the Sims has been tainted by specific real-life branding. It used to be a game that held enough charms on its own to get by without any corporate endorsements, just a simple virtual dollhouse where players could inflict all the mayhem they wanted upon their Sims. Now it seems like the franchise needs to reach out to external establishments just to stay afloat. It's sort of like when Ty started making Beanie Babies of licensed cartoon characters; it ruined the magic a little bit. I guess the Sims in its purest form has seen its time.