Tekken 8 Still Plagued by Cheaters

It has been over a year since the launch of *Tekken 8*, yet the problem of cheating remains not only unresolved but increasingly rampant. Despite mounting complaints from players and even internal investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective countermeasures against dishonest gameplay. Without decisive action, the integrity of the game’s online mode is at risk of collapsing into chaos, where fair competition becomes the exception rather than the rule.

From the early days of *Tekken 8*'s release, footage began circulating online showing players exhibiting inhuman reaction times. Instances such as one-frame perfect blocks—impossible without third-party tools or macros—and instantaneous grab breaks clearly indicate widespread cheating. These exploits provide an unfair advantage that cannot be matched by legitimate players, eroding trust in competitive play.

Persistent Technical Issues Compromise Fair Play

Beyond cheating, *Tekken 8* continues to struggle with technical flaws that negatively impact balance and gameplay. For example, certain characters like Yoshimitsu experience unblockable attacks due to defense system failures. Additionally, there are known methods to artificially stall matches, disrupting rhythm and timing—further degrading the competitive experience. When combined with cheating, these bugs render ranked and casual matchmaking unreliable for honest players.

A Publicly Exposed Cheating Network Ignored

Recently, prominent members of the *Tekken 8* community, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, uncovered a well-organized network of cheaters. Within their Discord server, cheat programs were openly shared, enabling users to automate dodges, block combos, and even escape losses entirely. Shockingly, despite this public exposure, Bandai Namco has not taken visible steps to penalize those involved or prevent further abuse.

Limited Protection Even on Console

While playing on consoles with crossplay disabled offers some level of protection, it still does not eliminate all risks. Dishonest players continue to bypass systems using "smurf accounts"—secondary profiles created to dominate less experienced opponents. Others exploit control glitches to gain an unfair edge, further undermining the fairness of each match.

Season 2 Approaches, But Priorities Remain Unclear

Bandai Namco recently announced the second season of *Tekken 8*, set to begin in April. However, there has been no clear communication regarding anti-cheat strategies or long-term solutions for existing issues. Many fans fear that cosmetic updates and new DLC characters will take precedence over critical fixes needed to preserve the game’s competitive ecosystem. If the trend continues, player retention may decline sharply, placing the future of *Tekken 8* in jeopardy.