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Letting AI play my game – building an agentic test harness to help play-testing

blog.jeffschomay.com

April 29, 2026

8 min read

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51/100

Summary

AI is being utilized to play-test the game Crossword Dungeon alongside the developer, improving the validation of the game's functionality and bug detection. This method enhances the efficiency of the play-testing process compared to traditional manual testing.

Key Takeaways

The author developed a method for AI to play-test their game, Crossword Dungeon, which significantly improved the efficiency of the testing process.
The AI was able to create a node.js wrapper that allowed it to interact with the game without modifying the original files, using a text-based renderer for navigation.
The AI demonstrated the ability to identify bugs and recreate specific scenarios, effectively mimicking human player behavior and strategic insights.
The game combines crossword puzzle mechanics with RPG elements, where solving letters levels up connected rooms, increasing the game's difficulty.

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Community Sentiment

Positive

Positives

Using AI agents for balance testing in games can significantly streamline the process for indie developers, allowing for more efficient play-testing and game refinement.
The ability to automate interactions and fix regressions while developing games with AI tools like Copilot CLI enhances productivity and reduces manual testing efforts.
Creating a CLI for AI to play games allows for innovative end-to-end testing strategies, enabling developers to assess game functionality in real-time.
Having AI verify its own work through end-to-end tests can lead to more reliable outcomes and allows developers to progress even while they are away.