It's been a year since the release of Tekken 8, and the issue of cheating within the game has not only persisted but has escalated significantly. Despite numerous player complaints and thorough community investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement decisive measures to tackle dishonest players. If the developers fail to address this issue, the online mode of Tekken 8 risks descending into complete chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.
Shortly after its launch, videos began circulating online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. Some players can block attacks in a single frame, a feat that's impossible without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can 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 serious technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable due to the defense system failing to register them. There are also methods to artificially slow down matches, which disrupts the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.
Recently, active members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, uncovered an entire network of cheaters. Within 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 taken no action.
The only relatively safe way to enjoy the game is by playing on 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 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, set to begin in April, but the developers still lack a clear strategy to combat cheaters. The community is concerned that the priority will be given to 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.
