Square Enix Partners with University of Tokyo to Automate Game QA with Generative AI by 2027

Square Enix Accelerates QA Automation with Generative AI in Joint Program with University of Tokyo Square Enix, the renowned developer and publisher behind beloved titles like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, has unveiled a groundbreaking quality assurance (QA) automation initiative as part of its latest financial report.

The company aims to harness generative AI to elevate its game development process, with a goal to automate approximately 70% of its QA testing and debugging tasks by the end of 2027.

This strategic move forms a key pillar of Square Enix’s recently announced "Reboots and Awakens" business plan. The publisher is collaborating with the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, forming a joint research project titled “Joint Development of Game QA Automation Technology Using Generative AI.” The partnership comprises more than ten researchers and engineers from both Square Enix and the University of Tokyo.

Their shared objective: streamline the traditionally resource-intensive QA phase through cutting-edge automation, thus expediting game development and reinforcing Square Enix’s competitive edge. According to Square Enix’s financial disclosure, the targeted adoption of "generative AI"—distinct from generalized AI solutions—signals the company's precise direction and commitment to innovation in its workflow.

By automating routine QA and debugging activities, Square Enix expects to optimize efficiency on projects developed for various platforms, including Nintendo Switch and the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, in a manner aligned with industry trends and investor expectations. As the gaming industry increasingly explores artificial intelligence, Square Enix joins a broader movement among major publishers.

Recently, Electronic Arts announced a collaboration with Stability AI to introduce generative AI-driven tools into their workflow.

Similarly, Krafton, publisher of PUBG, declared a transformative shift toward becoming an "AI-first company," investing heavily in automation and intelligent technologies to propel game creation forward.

Square Enix’s partnership with the University of Tokyo reflects a measured, research-driven approach to these advancements. In the official report, Square Enix emphasized that the project’s primary goal is to enhance the enterprise-wide efficiency of game development, ensuring robust QA that maintains the publisher’s high standards.

The company intends for generative AI to handle repetitive test cases and error checks, freeing up human QA staff for complex, creative, and unpredictable tasks that demand human oversight. Square Enix’s commitment to leveraging generative AI arrives at a pivotal time in the creator’s history, as it continues to expand its portfolio across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, PC, and upcoming hardware platforms.

By bridging academic research with interactive software production, the company seeks to redefine how large-scale game development meets the technical and economic challenges of the modern industry. Stay tuned for more updates as Square Enix’s QA automation project progresses, and for further analysis on the impact of generative AI across the gaming landscape.

Square Enix Tokyo AI Enix Square University of Tokyo generative AI Generative AI Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory Electronic Arts Stability AI Krafton EA PUBG Nintendo Switch