It's been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, and the issue of cheating within the game not only persists but continues to escalate. Despite numerous player complaints and Bandai Namco's own investigations, the developers have yet to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If Bandai Namco does not address this issue soon, the online mode risks devolving 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 reflexes. Some players can block attacks in a single frame—a feat impossible without third-party software or macros. Others instantly escape any grabs, which also exceeds human capabilities. These actions clearly indicate the use of cheats, which remain unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game still faces significant technical issues that impact 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, 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 a network of cheaters. In 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 play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this does not completely shield players from dishonest opponents. Some users create "smurf accounts"—secondary profiles used to compete against less experienced players, 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 fears that the priority will be new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than fixing critical online issues. If the situation does not improve, players may lose interest in the game en masse, jeopardizing its future.
