It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the issue of cheating within the game not only persists but continues to escalate. Despite a flood of player complaints and Bandai Namco's own investigations, the developers have yet to implement robust measures to curb dishonest play. Without decisive action, the online mode of Tekken 8 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, a feat 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 still grapples with significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks can sometimes become unblockable due to defense system failures. 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, dedicated members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a vast network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, software is openly shared that enables players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these cheaters continue to participate in ranked matches without any repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite public exposure.
The only relatively secure way to enjoy the game is by playing on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this method does not offer complete protection against dishonest players. Some create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles used to play 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, set to commence in April, but the developers still lack a clear plan to combat cheating. The community fears that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing the critical online issues. If the situation does not improve, players may lose interest in the game en masse, putting its future at risk.
