Escape Room Localizer

Overview

Transform single-language escape rooms into globally-accessible experiences through strategic localization, cultural adaptation, and efficient translation workflows.

Target Markets

Primary Markets:

1. English (Global): Largest market, mandatory
2. Korean (한국어): Home market, narrative strength
3. Japanese (日本語): Adjacent market, escape room culture

Expansion: Chinese, Spanish, French (Phase 2)

Localization Strategies

Strategy 1: Language Toggle (Single Template)

Best for: MVP, testing, low maintenance

Implementation:

Page Structure:
┌─ 🌐 Select Language
│  ├─ [Toggle] 🇺🇸 English
│  │  └─ [All content in English]
│  ├─ [Toggle] 🇰🇷 한국어
│  │  └─ [한국어로 된 모든 콘텐츠]
│  └─ [Toggle] 🇯🇵 日本語
│     └─ [日本語のコンテンツ]

Pros:

• ✅ One template to maintain
• ✅ Easy updates (change once)
• ✅ Players can compare languages

Cons:

• ❌ Cluttered interface
• ❌ Spoilers visible across languages
• ❌ Larger file size

Use when: Quick international launch, frequent updates expected

Strategy 2: Separate Templates (Multiple Versions)

Best for: Production, clean UX, market-specific

Implementation:

Notion Marketplace:
├─ "Mystery Office EN" ($4.99)
├─ "미스터리 오피스 KR" (₩5,500)
└─ "ミステリーオフィス JP" (¥550)

Pros:

• ✅ Clean player experience
• ✅ Market-specific pricing
• ✅ Cultural adaptations easier
• ✅ No cross-language spoilers

Cons:

• ❌ 3x maintenance work
• ❌ Updates must sync across versions
• ❌ Testing 3 separate templates

Use when: Post-MVP, established market, resource available

Strategy 3: Hybrid (Recommended)

Best for: Balance of UX and maintenance

Implementation:

Act 1 (Free): Toggle method
├─ Players test language preference
└─ Decide before purchasing

Acts 2-5 (Paid): Separate templates
├─ Purchase chosen language only
└─ Clean focused experience

Pros:

• ✅ Free trial in all languages
• ✅ Paid version is polished
• ✅ Lower barrier to entry

Content Localization Workflow

Copy this checklist:

Localization Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Audit language dependencies (30 min)
- [ ] Step 2: Categorize content (20 min)
- [ ] Step 3: Translate text content (2-4 hours)
- [ ] Step 4: Adapt cultural elements (1 hour)
- [ ] Step 5: Localize visual assets (30 min)
- [ ] Step 6: Native speaker review (1 hour)
- [ ] Step 7: Localization testing (2 hours)

Step 1: Audit Language Dependencies

Identify all text content:

Critical (Must Translate):

• Story narration
• Character dialogue
• Scene descriptions
• Puzzle instructions
• Hints
• Endings
• Player UI labels

Optional (Can Keep English):

• Database property names (admin view)
• Formula syntax (hidden from player)
• Debug comments

Never Translate:

• Answers to visual/math puzzles (universal)
• Proper nouns (character names - keep or localize consistently)

Step 2: Categorize Content

Content Type	Translation Difficulty	Cultural Adaptation	Priority
UI Labels	Low	None	High
Puzzle Instructions	Low	None	High
Story Narration	Medium	High	High
Character Names	N/A	Medium	Medium
Cultural References	High	High	Medium
Hints	Low	Low	High
Item Descriptions	Low	Low	High

Step 3: Translate Text

Translation Methods:

Option A: Professional Translator

• Cost: $0.08-0.15 per word
• Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Time: 2-5 business days
• Best for: Final production version

Option B: DeepL + Native Review

• Cost: Free/Low ($7.49/mo premium)
• Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Time: 1-2 days
• Best for: MVP, indie developers

Option C: Community Translation

• Cost: Free (or revenue share)
• Quality: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (varies)
• Time: 1-2 weeks
• Best for: Fan translations, post-launch

Recommended for Notion Escape Rooms: Option B

Workflow:

1. Extract all text to spreadsheet
2. DeepL translate to target languages
3. Native speaker reviews for:
   - Natural phrasing
   - Cultural appropriateness
   - Emotional tone match
4. Implement in Notion template
5. Playtest with native speakers

Step 4: Cultural Adaptation

What to Adapt:

Names:

Original: "Richard Park" (CEO)
English: "Richard Park" (keep)
Korean: "박리차드" or "박준형" (Korean name)
Japanese: "リチャード・パーク" (katakana) or "朴リチャード"

Settings:

Original: "Corporate Office"
English: "Corporate Office"
Korean: "대기업 사무실" (large company office)
Japanese: "コーポレートオフィス" (corporate office)

Cultural touch:
- EN: Coffee machine, cubicles
- KR: 보리차 (barley tea) dispenser, open office
- JP: Vending machines, business cards

Holidays/Dates:

Puzzle: Calendar code

Universal approach:
- Use visual: Circled dates on calendar image
- Avoid culture-specific holidays
- Use numbers only: "1225" instead of "Christmas"

If cultural:
- EN: 12/25 (Christmas)
- KR: 09/15 (Chuseok - adjust date)
- JP: 01/01 (New Year)

Humor/Tone:

Suspenseful narration:

EN: "The door clicks shut behind you."
KR: "문이 찰칵 소리를 내며 닫힌다." (more ominous tone)
JP: "ドアが後ろでカチャリと閉まる。" (suspenseful particle use)

Humor:

EN: "The janitor whistles cheerfully."
KR: "청소부 아저씨가 흥겹게 휘파람을 분다." (familiar informal tone)
JP: "清掃員が楽しそうに口笛を吹いている。" (polite descriptive)

Cultural References:

Original: "Like a detective in a film noir"

EN: Keep as-is (film noir is international term)
KR: "마치 추리 소설 속 탐정처럼" (like detective in mystery novel)
JP: "ハードボイルド探偵のように" (hardboiled detective style)

Adaptation principle: Equivalent cultural touchstone, not literal translation

Step 5: Localize Visual Assets

Images with Text:

• Create versions for each language OR
• Use overlays/captions OR
• Remove text (visual only)

Example:

Puzzle: Photo with note
Original: Sticky note says "Check the red file"

Option A: 3 image versions
- EN: Sticky note "Check the red file"
- KR: 포스트잇 "빨간 파일을 확인하세요"
- JP: 付箋 "赤いファイルをチェック"

Option B: Caption below image
- Image: Photo without text
- Caption (Toggle by language): Instructions in text

Icons/Symbols: Generally universal, but verify:

• ✅ Universal: 🔒🔑🚪💡⭐❤️🏠🚗
• ⚠️ Check: 👍👎 (different meanings in some cultures)
• ❌ Avoid: Country flags (except for language selection)

Step 6: Native Speaker Review

Checklist for Reviewers:

Language Quality:
- [ ] Natural phrasing (not machine translation stiffness)
- [ ] Appropriate formality level
- [ ] Consistent terminology
- [ ] No grammatical errors
- [ ] Emotional tone matches intent

Cultural Appropriateness:
- [ ] No offensive content
- [ ] References make sense
- [ ] Names sound natural
- [ ] Setting feels authentic

Player Experience:
- [ ] Instructions are clear
- [ ] Hints are helpful
- [ ] Story is engaging
- [ ] Puzzles are solvable

Feedback Template:

Scene: S005 "Server Room"
Original: "The hum of servers fills the air."

KR Translation: "서버의 윙윙거리는 소리가 공기를 채운다."
Review: ⚠️ Too literal. Better: "서버룸은 기계음으로 가득했다."

Issue: Machine translation stiffness
Suggested: More natural Korean phrasing
Priority: Medium

Step 7: Localization Testing

Test with Native Speakers:

Test Protocol:

Tester Profile:
- Native speaker
- Target age group (20-40)
- NOT professional translator (test "normal" user)

Test Tasks:
1. Play through entire game
2. Rate language quality (1-5): ____
3. Mark confusing phrases
4. Note cultural mismatches
5. Suggest improvements

Metrics:
- Completion rate: Should match base language (60-70%)
- Time: Should be within ±10% of base
- Comprehension: Can they solve puzzles?
- Enjoyment: Did story engage them?

Language-Agnostic Design Principles

70/30 Rule: 70% language-agnostic content + 30% localized text

Maximize Visual Communication:

Text-Heavy (Harder to localize):
"The safe requires a 4-digit code. Look at the calendar on the wall. Circle the dates that are holidays in red."

Visual-Heavy (Easier to localize):
[Image: Calendar with red-circled dates]
Instruction: "Enter the dates in order: MM-DD"

Simplify Language:

Complex: "Utilize the implement to facilitate access to the secured compartment."
Simple: "Use the key to open the locked box."

Benefits:
- Easier translation
- Faster comprehension
- Better for non-native speakers even in base language

Use Universal Symbols:

Text: "Go to the kitchen" → Symbol: 🍳 Kitchen
Text: "Find 3 keys" → Symbol: 🔑×3
Text: "Unlock the safe" → Symbol: 🔒→🔓

Pricing Localization

Strategy: Regional pricing based on local market

Market	Price (USD equiv)	Local Currency	Rationale
EN (Global)	$4.99	USD $4.99	Base price
KR (Korea)	$4.50	₩5,500	Slightly lower (PPP adjusted)
JP (Japan)	$5.50	¥600	Slightly higher (premium market)

Bundle Pricing:

EN: Complete Bundle $14.99 (Acts 1-5)
KR: 컴플리트 번들 ₩16,500
JP: コンプリートバンドル ¥1,600

Localization Anti-Patterns

❌ Direct Translation Without Context

Bad: "Break a leg" → KR: "다리를 부러뜨려" (literal: break your leg - confusing)
Good: "Good luck" → KR: "행운을 빕니다" (natural equivalent)

❌ Ignoring Text Length Differences

Problem:
EN: "Key" (3 chars)
KR: "열쇠" (2 chars) ✅ OK
JP: "キー" (2 chars) ✅ OK
DE: "Schlüssel" (9 chars) ⚠️ May break UI

Solution: Test all languages, adjust UI spacing

❌ Forgetting Sorting/Alphabetization

Problem:
EN: Alphabetical: Apple, Banana, Cherry
KR: 가나다순: 사과, 바나나, 체리 (different order!)

Solution: Use number-based ordering OR language-specific sorting

❌ Cultural Insensitivity

Avoid:
- Religious references (Christmas-only puzzles)
- Political topics
- Stereotypes
- Sensitive historical events

Use instead:
- Universal celebrations (New Year, birthdays)
- Neutral settings
- Diverse representation
- Timeless themes

Maintenance Strategy

Update Sync Workflow:

When updating any template:
1. Document changes in changelog
2. Update base language (EN or KR)
3. Mark affected sections in other languages
4. Request translation for changes only
5. Test updated sections
6. Deploy all languages simultaneously

Tools:
- Notion Database: "Localization Tracker"
  - Property: Last Updated (Date)
  - Property: Languages Complete (Multi-select)
  - Property: Translation Status (Select)

Resources

references/

• cultural-guide.md - Culture-specific dos and don'ts
• translation-glossary.md - Consistent terminology across languages
• market-research.md - Escape room cultures by country

assets/

• language-templates/ - Pre-formatted language toggles
• localization-checklist.xlsx - Translation project management

Example Application

User: "Localize the office mystery for Korean and Japanese markets"

Output:

Analysis:
- Total text content: ~3,000 words
- Language-agnostic puzzles: 70% (10/15 puzzles)
- Culture-specific content: Office setting (adaptable)

Localization Plan:

Korean Version (미스터리 오피스):
- Character names: 박준형 (CEO), 김미아 (Janitor), 이진 (Security)
- Setting: 대기업 본사 (large company HQ)
- Cultural touches: 보리차 dispenser, 야근 (overtime work) theme
- Pricing: ₩5,500
- Time estimate: 8 hours (DeepL + native review)

Japanese Version (ミステリーオフィス):
- Character names: パク・ジュンヒョン, キム・ミア, イ・ジン
- Setting: コーポレートオフィス
- Cultural touches: Vending machines, 残業 (overtime) theme
- Pricing: ¥600
- Time estimate: 8 hours

Approach: Strategy 3 (Hybrid)
- Act 1: Toggle method (free trial)
- Acts 2-5: Separate templates (purchased)

Visual Assets:
- 3 images contain text → Create EN/KR/JP versions
- 12 images no text → Reuse across all

Next Steps:
1. Create translation spreadsheet
2. DeepL translate (1 hour)
3. Native reviewer feedback (2-3 days)
4. Implement in Notion (3 hours)
5. Localization playtest (4 hours)

This approach balances quality, cost, and maintenance for sustainable global market presence.