Tekken 8 Continues to Suffer from Numerous Cheaters

Tekken 8's first year has been marred by a persistent and growing cheating problem. Despite player complaints and evidence, Bandai Namco's response has been insufficient, leaving fair play threatened in online modes.

Shortly after launch, videos emerged showcasing players exhibiting superhuman reflexes, such as single-frame blocking and instantaneous grab breaks—clear indicators of third-party software or macro usage. These cheats remain unchecked.

Beyond cheating, significant technical issues further undermine balance and gameplay. Yoshimitsu's unblockable attacks and defensive system failures are prime examples. Methods exist to artificially slow matches, disrupting opponent rhythm. These bugs, coupled with rampant cheating, make competitive play nearly unbearable.

Recently, community members like Mike Hollow and Blackheart59 exposed a cheater network openly distributing programs for automatic dodging, combo blocking, and even loss avoidance. These players continue to participate in ranked matches with impunity, despite public exposure and Bandai Namco's inaction.

Disabling crossplay on consoles offers a relatively safer, though not foolproof, experience. "Smurfing" (using secondary accounts to exploit lower-ranked opponents) and control bug exploitation further disrupt balance.

While Tekken 8's second season launches in April, a clear anti-cheat strategy remains absent. The community fears prioritization of DLC and cosmetics over critical online fixes. Continued inaction risks mass player exodus and jeopardizes the game's long-term viability.