Last weekend saw a new test take place for the Tekken 8 CBT. However, at the end of the beta something a bit different happened. A new patch for the Tekken Closed Beta test was rolled out, which erased itself. It seems this is a new measure to try and counteract the Tekken 8 Cracked Beta. Why have Bandai Namco taken such drastic measures and what does it mean?
Source: Bandai Namco
Tekken 8 Beta Erases Itself
The latest Tekken Closed beta test let players test out some of the new coming in early in 2025. However, the ending beta went a bit differently this time. Since the first beta test, the game has been cracked and some players are already accessing it.
Bandai Namco is trying to counteract this unauthorized early access, with the most recent Tekken 8 beta they’ve gone a bit further. At the end of the CBT, they pushed out a new patch. Rather than updating anything in the game though, it’s deleted it. The game has completely erased itself. You’ll now find the Beta as an empty folder. Will this actually stop the cracked beta though?
It’s unlikely. While it removes it from a few different users’ PCs, the Tekken 8 cracked beta is still available. Players also had quite a few days with the most recent build to make an updated cracked version. It seems like Bandai are trying harder to limit the cracked beta, but players are likely going to find a way past it.
Players Already Accessing Tekken Cracked Beta
We’re in the build-up to the release of a brand-new instalment in Tekken, with a lot of hype around trying Tekken 8 out early. It’s one of the hottest upcoming fighting games. It makes sense players are trying to get in and try everything out early. While some warnings have already been handed out by Bandai Namco already, that hasn’t stopped a Tekken 8 cracked beta of the new playtest already being out there in the wild.
Cracks for upcoming games are a controversial topic in fighting games. Most of the big fighting games in 2025 have had early access periods where players could try things out, like SF 6 and MK 1. However, in each of these games, we saw players getting involved outside of official beta tests with cracked versions of the game. What’s really surprising about the Tekken 8 cracked beta is how quickly players have got their hands on it this time.
Source: Bandai Namco
Tekken 8 Cracked Beta Leaked
The Tekken 8 Cracked Beta is an altered version of the game’s early demo. It’s a version of the beta that removed oversight from Bandai Namco. Essentially, it means you can continue playing the beta without any interruption. Even though Bandai Namco might not have a demo running, players can keep going and get more practice in. If they’re hoping to perform well in the Tekken World Tour, then this extra practice time could be key.
Bandai Namco has already warned against using the cracked version of the game. However, as long as a player doesn’t publicly admit to it there isn’t more recourse to those using the cracked beta. There aren’t many ways for Bandai Namco to see who is using it, despite their warnings over the exploit.
We saw something similar happen with the release of Street Fighter 6. After release, fans saw pretty clearly that payers had way too much practice in already to have only played the betas. Quite a few players even made veiled illusions to using the crack publicly too. We’ll likely see something similar with the Tekken 8 cracked beta.
Despite Bandai Namco’s warnings, players are going to jump into the cracked version in the interim. Hopefully, most have the good sense to keep this bit of practice time a secret. Those who do talk publicly might be singled out for Bandai Namco to make an example of them.
