Tekken 8 Plagued by Cheating Issues

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, threatening to unravel fair play in online modes.

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

Compounding the problem are significant technical issues impacting balance. Glitches like Yoshimitsu's unblockable attacks and flawed defense registration create unfair advantages. Methods to artificially slow matches further disrupt gameplay. These bugs, combined with rampant cheating, render competitive play frustrating.

Community figures like Mike Hollow and Blackheart59 recently 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 knowledge.

Currently, disabling crossplay on consoles offers the only relatively safe online experience, but this isn't foolproof. "Smurfing"—using secondary accounts to exploit lower-ranked opponents—and control bug exploitation remain prevalent.

Bandai Namco's announced second season in April offers little reassurance. The community worries that new DLC and cosmetic updates will take precedence over addressing critical online issues. Without decisive action, Tekken 8 risks losing players and jeopardizing its long-term success.