Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

A year has passed since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the issue of cheating within the game not only persists but has escalated. Despite numerous complaints from the player base and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If the developers fail to act, the online mode risks spiraling into chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.

Shortly after Tekken 8's release, videos emerged online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. For instance, some players can block attacks in a single frame, a feat impossible without third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, which unfortunately go unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game continues to suffer from significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable, and the defense system fails to register them. There are also methods to artificially slow down matches, which disrupts the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs make the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, dedicated members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, uncovered a network of cheaters. In their Discord group, programs are openly shared that enable players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to participate freely in ranked matches, with Bandai Namco taking no apparent action despite public exposure.

The only relatively safe way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this method does not guarantee complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles used to play against less experienced opponents, further disrupting the balance. Others exploit control bugs to gain an unfair advantage.

Bandai Namco has announced the second season of Tekken 8, set to begin in April, but the developers still lack a clear strategy to combat cheaters. The community fears that the focus will be on new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation does not improve, players may lose interest in the game en masse, jeopardizing its future.