Tekken 8 Still Plagued by Cheaters

It has been a year since the release of Tekken 8, and the persistent problem of cheating within the game has not only remained unresolved but has escalated. Despite numerous player complaints and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement decisive measures against dishonest players. If the developers do not address this issue, the online mode risks descending into complete chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.

Shortly after the launch of Tekken 8, videos began circulating online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. For instance, some players can block attacks in a single frame, a feat impossible without the use of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, a skill beyond human capabilities. These actions clearly indicate the use of cheats, which continue to go unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game still grapples with significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, and the defense system fails to register them. There are also methods 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, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, uncovered a network of cheaters. In their Discord group, programs are openly shared 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 public exposure.

The only relatively safe way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this does not guarantee complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles to play against less experienced opponents, which further disrupts the 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 shift towards 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, jeopardizing its future.