Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

It has been a full year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the persistent problem of cheating within the game not only remains unsolved but continues to escalate. Despite numerous player complaints and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has failed to take decisive action against dishonest players. If the developers do not address this issue soon, the online mode risks devolving 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 within a single frame, a feat impossible without the use of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions clearly suggest the use of cheats, which have gone unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game still suffers from significant technical issues that impact its balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable due to defense system failures. There are also methods to artificially slow down matches, disrupting the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, prominent members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, uncovered an entire network of cheaters. In their Discord group, programs are openly distributed that allow players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Surprisingly, these players continue to participate freely in ranked matches, and Bandai Namco has yet to take any action, despite public exposure.

The only relatively safe way to play Tekken 8 is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this does not guarantee complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles used to play against less experienced opponents, which also disrupts the game's 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 given to 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.