It has been a year since the release of Tekken 8, yet the issue of cheating within the game remains not only unresolved but is escalating. Despite numerous player complaints and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement decisive measures to address dishonest players. If the developers do not act swiftly, the online mode risks devolving into complete chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.
Shortly after the launch of Tekken 8, 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, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, yet they remain unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game continues to suffer from serious technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable due to the defense system failing to register them. There are also techniques to artificially slow down matches, disrupting 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, exposed an entire network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, programs are openly distributed 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 this public exposure.
The only relatively safe way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, 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 focus will be on 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.
