It has been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the problem of cheating within the game has not only persisted but has escalated. 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 spiraling 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. For instance, some players can block attacks in a single frame, an action impossible without third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grabs, which also surpasses human capabilities. These actions unmistakably point to cheating, which remains unpunished.

Beyond cheating, the game still grapples with significant technical issues that impact balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable, and the defense system fails to register them. There are also tactics to artificially slow down matches, throwing off an opponent's rhythm. When combined with cheats, these bugs render the competitive mode nearly unplayable.

Recently, prominent members of the Tekken 8 community, including Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a widespread network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, programs are openly shared that enable players to automatically dodge attacks, block combos, and even avoid losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to participate freely in ranked matches, with no action taken by Bandai Namco despite the public exposure.

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

Bandai Namco has announced the second season of Tekken 8, set to launch in April, but the developers still lack a clear plan to tackle cheaters. The community fears that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic updates rather than resolving critical online issues. If the situation remains unchanged, players may lose interest in the game en masse, threatening its future.