Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the issue of cheating in the game persists and is escalating. Despite the outcry from players and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has not taken decisive action against dishonest players. If the developers fail to address this problem, the online mode risks devolving into complete chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.

Shortly after the release of Tekken 8, 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 use of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, further evidence of cheating that remains unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game is plagued by significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks can become unblockable due to a defense system that fails to register them. There are also methods to artificially slow down matches, which disrupt 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 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 in ranked matches without any repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite being publicly exposed.

The only relatively safe way to enjoy the game is by playing on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this method does not offer complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles used to compete against less experienced opponents, further disrupting the game's 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 is concerned that the focus will shift 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, threatening its long-term viability.