Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

It's been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, and the issue of cheating within the game not only persists but is on the rise. Despite numerous player complaints and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If the developers fail to act, the online mode risks spiraling into 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 are able to block attacks in a single frame, an action that's 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 grapple with significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks sometimes become unblockable due to a failing defense system. There are also techniques to artificially slow down matches, disrupting opponents' rhythm. Coupled with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, active members of the Tekken 8 community, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, software is openly distributed that enables players to automatically dodge 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 relatively secure way to enjoy the game is by playing on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this does not offer complete protection against dishonest players. Some create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles to compete against less experienced opponents, further disrupting the game's balance. Others exploit control bugs to secure unfair advantages.

Bandai Namco has announced the second season of Tekken 8, scheduled for April, but the developers have yet to unveil a comprehensive strategy to tackle cheaters. The community fears that the focus will shift to new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation remains unchanged, players may lose interest in the game en masse, threatening its future viability.