In September 2024, modl.ai surveyed 303 developers based in the United States to examine the current state of Quality Assurance (QA) in game development. Participants represented a broad range of backgrounds and studio sizes, offering a diverse view of how QA is evolving within the industry.
QA in Game Development
The survey found that 94 percent of developers have implemented some form of QA automation into their workflows. However, these implementations do not yet include artificial intelligence-based solutions. Among those who use automation, 39 percent reported that more than half of their QA processes are automated, indicating a significant shift toward efficiency and scalability in testing methods.
Despite these advances, delivering entirely bug-free games remains a challenge. More than 70 percent of developers acknowledged they have never released a game without bugs. The remaining developers also faced difficulties in achieving complete QA coverage before release. Only 23 percent of respondents stated that all necessary QA work was completed prior to launch, pointing to ongoing pressures such as tight deadlines and resource constraints.
Additionally, half of the developers surveyed either disagreed or were unsure whether QA budgets are keeping pace with market demands. This suggests a misalignment between the complexity of modern game development and the resources allocated to ensure product quality.
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Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in QA
The survey also explored developer sentiments about the role of artificial intelligence in QA. A large majority—94 percent—believe that AI will play an important role in future QA processes. Developers identified several potential benefits, including faster detection of bugs, automatic reporting of issues, and the ability to run tests continuously without human intervention.
A total of 65 percent of respondents said they believe AI is more effective at identifying bugs than traditional methods. Furthermore, 86 percent expect AI to increase the speed of QA testing over time. These findings indicate strong optimism about the potential for AI to enhance the reliability and efficiency of game testing.
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Industry Readiness and Trust in AI
Despite widespread belief in AI's future role, opinions on current readiness and trust levels vary. The data shows 87 percent of studios feel prepared to incorporate AI into their QA processes. More than half, or 55 percent, expect that the use of AI will lead to reduced QA costs over time.
However, trust in AI-generated results remains low. Only 16 percent of developers reported full trust in AI outcomes, while 10 percent expressed no trust at all. Developers cited several concerns, including the lack of human intuition, the possibility of inaccurate findings, and inconsistent results across different AI systems.
Nonetheless, interest in AI integration is growing. Over half of the respondents said they would be interested in working at studios that use AI for QA tasks, suggesting a shift in developer attitudes toward new technologies.
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Challenges to AI Adoption
Although the potential benefits of AI are widely recognized, adoption remains limited due to several challenges. Developers pointed to the complexity of setting up AI systems, the high initial costs involved, and internal resistance within teams. These factors contribute to slower integration despite overall readiness and interest.
The report by modl.ai offers insight into how game developers are approaching QA in the current landscape. It highlights the growing role of automation and the emerging interest in AI, while also acknowledging the obstacles that must be addressed before widespread adoption can occur. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI into QA practices may become more viable, helping developers meet increasing demands for quality and efficiency in game production.
Source: modl.ai
