It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game remains not only unaddressed but continues to escalate. Despite numerous player complaints and their own investigations, Bandai Namco has yet to implement effective measures against dishonest players. If the developers fail to act, the online mode risks descending into complete chaos, where fair play becomes the exception rather than the norm.

Shortly after Tekken 8's release, videos emerged online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman reflexes. Some players were seen blocking attacks in a single frame, an action that is impossible without third-party software or macros. Others could instantly break any grabs, a feat beyond human capabilities. These actions are clear indicators of cheating, yet they remain unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game still grapples with serious technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable due to the defense system failing to register them. There are also tactics to artificially slow down matches, which disrupt the opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, prominent members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed an entire network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, programs are openly distributed that enable players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to participate freely in ranked matches, and Bandai Namco has yet to take any action despite this public exposure.

The only relatively safe way to play is by using consoles with crossplay disabled. However, even this method does not offer complete protection from dishonest players. Some users create "smurf accounts" — secondary profiles to compete against less experienced opponents, further disrupting the balance. Others exploit control bugs to gain an unfair advantage.

Bandai Namco has announced the second season of Tekken 8, scheduled to start in April, but the developers still lack a clear strategy to combat cheaters. The community is concerned that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than addressing critical online issues. If the situation does not improve, players may lose interest in the game en masse, threatening its future.