Miss Bimbo

Miss Bimbo is an Internet-based virtual fashion game originally launched in 2007, in a French-language version called Ma Bimbo, by entrepreneur Nicolas Jacquart. An English version was launched in February, 2008, in the United Kingdom.

Players in Miss Bimbo compete to turn their characters into "the most famous bimbo ever." The game's target market is young girls.

When a player signs up, she is assigned a naked doll and is given a supply of "bimbo dollars" to buy for fashion items, diet pills, and plastic surgery. Additional dollars can be earned by "working," which is discouraged, or by finding a boyfriend to be a "sugar daddy." The initial registration is free, but when a player runs out of bimbo dollars, they can be replenished with text messages costing $3 each, or via PayPal.

Parents have complained that their children have used cell phones to ring up hundreds of dollars in text messages. Critics decry the lessons the game teaches young girls. In late March, 2008, British authorities launched an investigation of the game, alleging the illegal financial targeting of children.

Official Site: As a result of this rather surprising media attention we have decided to remove the option of purchasing diet pills from the game. We apologise to any players whom this may inconvenience but we feel in light of this weeks proceedings it is the correct action to take.

1. Nicolas Jacquart: "It is not a bad influence for young children. They learn to take care of their bimbos. The missions and goals are morally sound and teach children about the real world...The breast operations are just one part of the game and we are not encouraging young girls to have them, just reflecting real life."
2. Nick Williams, parent: "I noticed them looking at possible breast operations and facelifts for their bimbos at the game's plastic surgery clinic...Katie is far too young for that kind of thing and it is irresponsible of the site's creators to be leading young girls astray. They are easily influenced at that age as to what is cool."

• Official Site: Miss Bimbo, Virtual Fashion Game!

Unofficial "outlaw" forum. Uncensored, regardless of your opinion: BimbosForever, Home of the Meanieheadz

• Wikipedia: Miss Bimbo
• Topix.net: Miss Bimbo
• YouTube Video: Outrage over bimbo game (Time: 2:42)
• Google News: Miss Bimbo
• This Is Hertfordshire: Todays Youth Lost In Bimboland (April 4, 2008)
• Los Angeles Times: The key to Miss Bimbos's' success?
• CBC: 'Miss Bimbo' Online Game Gets Makeover Amid Criticism (April 1, 2008)
• The Daily Mail: One mother attacks Miss Bimbo:... teaching young girls about anorexia... (March 31, 2008)
  • "Companies understand that there is money to be made from children, and the attitude among some elements seems to be that if this involves the sexualising of young girls then so be it."
• The Guardian: Regulator Phonepayplus investigates Miss Bimbo site (March 27, 2008)
  • After a short period of free play, Miss Bimbo, a game targeted at pre-teen children, requires that you build up a "bank account" by texting the site. Each text message bills about US$3 to the cell phone account used. Phonepayplus, which regulates commerce in the area, is investigating the website, as it may not be following regulations regarding how children's games should be handled. Parents have complained about their children ringing up hundreds of dollars worth of Miss Bimbo-related bills on parents' cellphones.
• Belfast Telegraph: Ban Miss Bimbo to protect kids pleads MLA (March 26, 2008)
• Times Online: Miss Bimbo website promotes extreme diets and surgery to 9-year-olds (March 25, 2008)
• CNN: Alarm As Dolls Get Breast Implants in Miss Bimbo Game (March 25, 2008)
• Sky News: Miss Bimbo Internet Game 'Fuels Pressure Felt By Young People' (March 25, 2008)
• Telegraph: Parents Concerned About Miss Bimbo Game (March 25, 2008)
• MyFox Memphis: Bimbo Game 'Fuels Pressure On Youth' (March 25, 2008)
• Guardian: Internet Miss Bimbo Game for Girls Attacked by Parents (March 25, 2008)