It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game not only persists but is escalating. Despite numerous player complaints and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has failed to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If the developers do not act 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. For instance, some players can 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 grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, yet they go unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game continues to suffer 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 techniques to artificially slow down matches, throwing off 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, exposed an entire 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 on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this 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 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 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 en masse, threatening its future.
