Tekken 8 Continues to Suffer from Numerous Cheaters

Tekken 8's first year has been marred by a persistent and escalating cheating problem. Despite player complaints and evidence, Bandai Namco's response has been insufficient, leaving fair play increasingly threatened. The unchecked proliferation of cheats risks rendering online modes chaotic and unplayable.

Soon after launch, videos emerged showcasing players exhibiting superhuman reflexes, impossible without cheats or macros. These include single-frame blocking and instantaneous grab breaks, clear indicators of unfair play that remain unpunished.

Beyond cheating, significant technical issues further undermine balance and gameplay. Bugs like Yoshimitsu's unblockable attacks and flawed defense systems create uneven matches. Techniques to artificially slow matches also disrupt opponent rhythm, exacerbating the problem created by rampant cheating.

Community figures like Mike Hollow and Blackheart59 recently exposed a cheating network openly distributing programs for automated dodging, combo blocking, and even loss avoidance. Alarmingly, these cheaters continue to participate in ranked matches with no repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite public knowledge.

Disabling crossplay on consoles offers a relatively safer, but not foolproof, experience. Smurf accounts—secondary profiles used to exploit less skilled opponents—and control bugs further contribute to the imbalance.

While Bandai Namco has announced Tekken 8's second season for April, a concrete anti-cheat strategy remains absent. The community fears that new DLC and cosmetic updates will take precedence over critical online issues. Continued inaction risks widespread player disengagement and threatens the game's long-term viability.