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It's also similar to what Microsoft does (did?) with Windows during development[0] - text that hasn't been translated yet is shown with a whole bunch of meaningless diacritical marks and replacement characters so it stands out.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudolocalization#Pseudolocal...

The Source Engine (of Half Life and Counter Strike fame) uses a checkered black and bright pink texture for missing textures. It really is garish, as I discovered when playing Garry's Mod back in the day.

John Romero learned this in his early days at ID Software: it's crucial that you can still boot the game even when things are missing, but make them very apparent.

Source: somewhere in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2MIpi8pIvY

Doom2 has the classic "AASHITTY"