MARCH 25, 2008 • A London-based casual online game for teen girls, Miss Bimbo, comes under intense scrutiny in the U.K. and world press. The game launched in February and already has more than 200,000 British players who guide the life of a virtual teen girl. Players must keep track of hunger, thirst and happiness ratings. Criticism has grown over features such as keeping weight down by purchasing diet bills, and missions including finding a millionaire boyfriend, and arranging for breast implants. In-game cash can be earned by winning beauty contents.
Impact: As the rush to monetize online experiences continues, new players will seek out unpopulated niches to claim first. Miss Bimbo is about as offensive as a straight-to-DVD guilty pleasure. But no one should be surprised there is a market for Miss Bimbo. Nor should there be any surprise that some venture is going to do an online take on Girls Gone Wild.
