Tekken 8 Continues to Suffer from Numerous Cheaters

It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the persistent problem of cheating within the game not only remains unaddressed but continues to escalate. Despite numerous complaints from the player base and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures to curb dishonest players. If the developers fail to act, the online mode risks spiraling into complete 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 are able to block attacks in a single frame, an action that is impossible without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grab, further indicating the use of cheats, 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 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, including 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 the public exposure.

The only relatively safe way to enjoy the game is by playing on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this does not fully shield players from dishonest opponents. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles used to compete against less experienced players, which also disrupts the competitive 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 combat 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 en masse, putting its future at risk.