It's been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game not only persists but continues to escalate. Despite numerous player complaints and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has failed to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If the developers do not intervene soon, the online mode risks spiraling into complete disarray, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the rule.
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, an action impossible without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These behaviors are clear indicators of cheating, and yet, they go unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game still grapples with significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, with the defense system failing to register them. There are also tactics to artificially slow down matches, throwing off the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.
Recently, dedicated members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, have 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 in ranked matches without any repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite being publicly exposed.
The only relatively secure way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this method does not offer complete protection against 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 tackle cheaters. The community is concerned that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation does not improve, players may lose interest in the game on a massive scale, threatening its future.
