Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game has not only persisted but has escalated. Despite the outcry from the player community and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has failed to implement effective measures against dishonest players. Without decisive action, the online mode is at risk of 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 were able to block attacks in a single frame—a feat impossible without the use of third-party software or macros. Others could instantly break any grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, yet they remain unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game still grapples with significant technical issues that impact its balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, and the defense system fails to register them. There are also methods to artificially slow down matches, throwing off the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, prominent members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed an entire network of cheaters. In their Discord group, programs are openly distributed that enable players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to participate freely in ranked matches, and despite public exposure, Bandai Namco has yet to take any action.

The only relatively secure way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this measure does not offer complete protection against dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts"—secondary profiles used to compete 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, slated to start in April, but the developers still lack a clear strategy to tackle cheating. The community is concerned that the focus will be on new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation remains unchanged, players may lose interest in the game en masse, putting its future at risk.