Earlier this week, Square Enix disclosed its ambition to drastically cut its Quality Assurance employees and use generative AI to handle 70% of its game QA and debugging. The company went on to note that it wants to “establish a competitive advantage in game development.” However, Michael Douse–the publishing director of Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian–has called out Square Enix and described its plan as “stupid.”
“So QA are some of the most video games engaged people in any company,” Douse wrote on X. “They are integral to your community teams. To publishing. They give you the real feedback. They know what is good and what is bad before the audience does, and they are the most resilient department.”
“[The] idea that QA people can be replaced at a large scale is stupid because it supposes that the conversations with them can be replaced and they can’t,” added Douse. “They are a massively advantageous vibe check.”
Douse also noted that QA jobs have often been gateway positions for people looking to get into the video game industry. He cautions that losing QA workers risks missing out on future designers and other positions.
QA is not an inherently entry-level job but I will also add that without gateways to the industry you won’t find your lead designers. This is a stupid path. You want to be able to offer people beneficial positions that allow them to grow and help to grow you!
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) November 6, 2025
In a subsequent post, Douse noted that Square Enix aims to save $19.6 million by outsourcing its QA to AI. He also questioned why executives weren’t laid off if the company needs the savings so badly.
The desired annual savings of $19.6 million – while a substantial amount of money in real life terms – is not hugely substantial for a AAA company. If things are this bad where are the executive “layoffs?” I’m pretty sure these games aren’t failing because of QA, publishing, etc. https://t.co/MCJw16kBHz
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) November 7, 2025
Reports have emerged that Square Enix is already conducting a massive employee layoff. Square Enix isn’t the only video game company to embrace AI. Electronic Arts has reportedly instructed its employees to treat AI as “thought partners.” A recent survey also found that over 50% of Japanese game publishers utilize AI in some way. Prominent game developers Hideo Kojima and Glen Schofield have both stated that AI tools should be embraced in game creation.
