It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game remains not only unresolved but continues to escalate. Despite numerous player complaints and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures to curb dishonest gameplay. Without decisive action from the developers, the online mode risks spiraling into total 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 abilities. Some players are able to block attacks in a single frame, a feat impossible without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, surpassing human reaction times. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, which remain unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game still suffers from significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable, and the defense system fails to recognize them. There are also methods to deliberately slow down matches, disrupting the opponent's rhythm. Coupled 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. Within 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, and Bandai Namco has yet to take any action despite this public exposure.
The only relatively safe way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this does not ensure complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles 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, scheduled to start in April, but the developers still lack a clear strategy to combat cheaters. The community fears that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation persists, players may lose interest in the game on a massive scale, threatening its future.
