Tekken 8 Plagued by Persistent Cheating Issues

It's been a year since the launch of Tekken 8, yet the specter of cheating continues to plague the game, growing ever more problematic. Despite the outcry from the player base and the company's own inquiries, Bandai Namco has yet to implement robust measures against dishonest players. Without intervention, the online mode teeters on the brink of chaos, where fair competition could soon become a rarity rather than the standard.

Shortly after Tekken 8's debut, videos emerged online showcasing players with seemingly superhuman abilities. For instance, some players can block attacks in a single frame, a feat unachievable without the aid of third-party software or macros. Others can instantly break any grab, a capability beyond human limits. These actions are telltale signs of cheating, yet they go unpunished.

In addition to cheating, the game continues to grapple with severe technical issues that undermine balance and gameplay. For example, Yoshimitsu's attacks occasionally become unblockable due to a faulty defense system. There are also techniques to deliberately slow down matches, throwing off an opponent's timing. When combined with cheats, these glitches render the competitive mode virtually unplayable.

Recently, dedicated members of the Tekken 8 community, such as Mike Hollow and Blackheart59, exposed a sophisticated network of cheaters. Within their Discord group, software is freely distributed that enables players to automatically evade attacks, block combos, and even dodge losses. Astonishingly, these players continue to compete in ranked matches without repercussions from Bandai Namco, despite being publicly outed.

The only somewhat secure way to enjoy the game is on consoles with crossplay disabled. However, this method doesn't offer full protection against unscrupulous players. Some create "smurf accounts" to face off against less skilled opponents, further disrupting the game's balance. Others exploit controller bugs to secure an unfair edge.

Bandai Namco has announced the upcoming second season of Tekken 8, slated for April, but the developers have yet to unveil a comprehensive plan to tackle cheating. The community worries that the focus will shift towards new DLCs and cosmetic enhancements rather than resolving the critical online issues. If the situation doesn't improve, players might abandon the game in droves, threatening its long-term viability.