One year after its launch, Tekken 8 continues to grapple with persistent cheating problems that remain unaddressed and are escalating. Despite player complaints and internal investigations, Bandai Namco has not implemented effective measures to curb dishonest behavior. Without action, the online mode risks becoming a chaotic environment where fair competition is rare.
Soon after Tekken 8's release, videos emerged online showcasing players with unnatural reaction speeds. For instance, some block attacks in a single frame, a feat impossible without third-party tools or macros. Others instantly counter grabs, surpassing human ability. These blatant cheating tactics continue without repercussions.
Beyond cheating, the game suffers from technical glitches impacting balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, with the defense system failing to register them properly. Some players exploit methods to slow matches, throwing off opponents’ timing. Combined with cheats, these issues render competitive play nearly unviable.
Recently, dedicated Tekken 8 community members, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a widespread cheating network. On their Discord server, tools are shared openly, enabling automatic dodging, combo blocking, and loss prevention. Shockingly, these players face no bans and continue competing in ranked matches, despite public outcry, with Bandai Namco remaining inactive.
Playing on consoles with crossplay disabled offers a partial solution but isn’t foolproof. Some players use "smurf accounts" to dominate less skilled opponents, skewing balance. Others exploit control glitches for unfair advantages.
With Tekken 8’s second season slated for April, Bandai Namco has yet to outline a clear plan to tackle cheating. The community worries that new DLCs and cosmetic updates will take precedence over fixing critical online issues. Without meaningful changes, player engagement may plummet, threatening the game’s longevity.
