QA are the single biggest advocate the player has at a game studio. Engineers, producers - we try to bargain over scope all the time. QA are the ones holding us to our commitments, showing up for players, being loud when stuff doesn't hit the quality bar.
100% agree, great thread! QA have been integral to the response to every feature & game ive ever worked over my career. I'd be totally arrogant to assume i can just throw a feature into the world perfectly first time without the perspective, guidance & support QA provides.