Speaking to GQ, Baldur’s Gate 3 publishing head Michael Douse says quality assurance is fundamentally human work, and Square Enix’s approach would cut out the very bridge between development and players.

AI’s arrival in game development is sparking fierce debate. Some studios keep their distance, others have embraced it fully, like EA. While there are middle positions, the all-in crowd draws the sharpest criticism because automation arrives alongside layoffs. After reports that Square Enix would swap real testers for algorithms, Larian’s Michael Douse was blunt: “it’s a stupid idea.”

According to Douse, QA teams are among the most committed and passionate groups in any studio. “QA is an integral part of the community and publishing teams. They provide real feedback. They know what works and what doesn’t before the audience, and they’re the most resilient department,” he wrote on X. Their role goes far beyond bug hunting, serving as a living bridge between development and players.

He stresses that automation and AI can be useful tools inside QA, but fully replacing human workers is a mistake. Direct interaction and opinion exchange between testers and developers cannot be replicated by machines, and removing that human touch can harm overall quality.

Douse also notes that QA and testing are stepping stones for many developers’ careers. Letting AI fill those roles could choke off opportunities for future talent, making entry even harder. He adds that QA efforts often go unnoticed while staff face precarious conditions, from low wages to long hours and mass layoffs.

EA Has Already Stumbled With Its Bots

Recent cases support Larian’s warning, including EA’s misfires with its own AI testing platform. The company found the bot created more problems than it solved, forcing developers, not QA, to fix extra bugs. Even so, Electronic Arts isn’t backing away from its AI push, especially after recent ownership shifts.

Source: 3DJuegos