It has been a year since the release of Tekken 8, and the issue of cheating within the game not only persists but is escalating. Despite ongoing complaints from players and thorough investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures to tackle dishonest players. If the developers fail to act decisively, the online mode risks spiraling into chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.
Shortly after Tekken 8's launch, videos emerged online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. Examples include players blocking attacks in a single frame—a feat impossible without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, further indicating the use of cheats, which continue to go unpunished.
Beyond cheating, the game still grapples with significant technical issues that undermine its balance and gameplay. For instance, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, with the defense system failing to recognize them. There are also tactics 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, have exposed a vast 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 cheaters continue to participate freely in ranked matches, and despite public exposure, Bandai Namco has taken no action.
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 individuals create "smurf accounts" to compete against less experienced opponents, which further disrupts the game's balance. Others exploit control bugs to secure 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 the critical online issues. If the situation remains unchanged, players may lose interest en masse, putting the game's future at risk.
