It's been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the persistent issue of cheating in the game has not only persisted but has escalated significantly. Despite a flood of complaints from the player base and thorough investigations, Bandai Namco has failed to implement robust measures to curb dishonest play. If the developers continue to overlook this problem, the online mode risks devolving into complete disarray, where fair play becomes a rare occurrence rather than the standard.
Shortly after Tekken 8's release, videos emerged online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. For instance, some players can block attacks within a single frame—a feat impossible without third-party software or macros. Others can instantly counter any grab, far surpassing human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, yet they go unpunished.
In addition to cheating, the game continues to grapple with significant technical issues that disrupt balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable due to a malfunctioning defense system. There are also techniques to deliberately slow down matches, throwing off opponents' timing. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.
Recently, dedicated members of the Tekken 8 community, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a vast network of cheaters. In their Discord group, software is freely distributed that enables players to automatically evade attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to participate in ranked matches without any repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite being publicly exposed.
The only somewhat secure way to enjoy the game is by playing on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this method doesn't offer foolproof protection against dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts"—secondary profiles used to compete against less experienced opponents, further disrupting the game's balance. Others exploit control bugs to gain an unfair edge.
Bandai Namco has announced the second season of Tekken 8, slated to start in April, but the developers still lack a comprehensive plan to tackle cheaters. The community is concerned that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing these critical online issues. If the situation doesn't improve, players may abandon the game in droves, endangering its longevity.
