Indie Shooter 'Duckov' Sells 500k, Hits Steam Top 5

The five-person team at Team Soda has a multi-million dollar debut on its hands, proving a massive market exists for a PvE-only extraction shooter. But as it faces titans like Tarkov and ARC Raiders, can it last?

So, who saw Escape From Duckov coming? While the industry was wrapped in the hype for Battlefield 6 and the intrigue of Arc Raiders, a wonderfully named extraction title has arrived and landed in Steam’s top five most-played games. 

Escape From Duckov, from the tiny five-person team at Team Soda and published by Bilibili, launched on October 16, 2025, and immediately exploded. It has sold over half a million copies, translating into a multi-million dollar debut.

What is Escape From Duckov?

The game calls itself a PvE indie survival RPG, but at its heart, it’s an extraction shooter. Players take control of a duck soldier in an isometric, top-down world, scavenging for resources to build a hideout and upgrade gear. This looter-shooter is all about solo progression. 

Unlike Escape from Tarkov or Arc Raiders, Duckov has no PvP component, meaning players don't have to worry about being attacked by others. Instead, you can enjoy surviving and battling hostile AI ducks to find precious loot. It is also highly accessible, costing just $15.83 with a download size of just over 2 GB on PC and Mac.

The gameplay loop emphasises "loot, shoot, and extract", with players tasked to find loot, complete quests, upgrade their base, and survive. The combat is described as fast, intense, and unforgiving, relying on sound cues, day-night cycles, weather effects like storms, and stealthy enemy ambushes. 

Players must use risk-management strategies, as they lose their loot upon death. However, a mechanic allows them to secure valuable items in a companion dog's bag to protect them from permanent loss. Despite the challenge, the game maintains a playful tone with its charming duck characters in tactical gear and allows players to adjust the difficulty at any time.

The Quack Heard 'Round the World

The launch numbers for Duckov are staggering. It sold more than 500,000 copies in just its first few days. The game reached a massive peak of 221,963 concurrent players, ranking it fifth on Steam’s most-played list. This surge put it ahead of major titles like Rust, Stardew Valley, and Team Fortress 2, as it had more than double the player count of Apex Legends during its peak. 

The reception from players has been stellar, earning Duckov a 95% "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam. The buzz is also real on Twitch, where Twitchtracker data shows it was the 61st most-watched game recently, placing it ahead of Silent Hill F.

No PvP, No Worries... For Now

The lack of PvP is a key selling point. For many, gaming is about escapism, and Duckov offers a chance to loot without the stress of being sniped by another player, making it a perfect "down-time" title. 

This design choice appeals to players looking for tension without the punishing environment of hostile players. The big question, however, is longevity. Without the dynamic danger of other players, some feedback suggests the game's progression can feel repetitive over time. 

While players have voiced interest in a co-op mode, Team Soda has not released a roadmap or announced plans for such features.

A Duck in a Gunfight

Escape From Duckov's fight for survival is happening in one of gaming's most competitive genres. The game is caught between two very different types of competitors. On one side is the genre's grim-faced titan, Escape from Tarkov, whose own official Steam release is scheduled for mid-November, setting up a direct challenge. 

On the other side are upcoming AAA and free-to-play challengers, like Embark Studios' ARC Raiders and Bungie's Marathon, which are entering the market with massive budgets. Duckov launched perfectly into the gap between these extremes, offering an "accessible hardcore" vision with a lower price point that serves as an entry point into the genre.

The Verdict: A Golden Goose?

The future of Escape From Duckov depends entirely on Team Soda's next moves. The spectacular launch wasn't the finish line; it was the starting gun.

The good news is they have proven there is a massive market for their "accessible hardcore" vision. The bad news is that the clock is ticking. To survive, the five-person studio must quickly transition from making a product to running a live service. That means a clear roadmap, transparent communication, and fast updates.

The blueprint for success already exists: small teams behind games like Valheim and Among Us used their viral launches to build lasting communities. The game has a solid foundation for long-term engagement, with reports of over 50 hours of main story content, diverse NPC quests, skill progression, crafting, base building, and even mod support via a creative workshop.

If Team Soda can capitalise on this momentum, address feedback on progression, and fix technical issues, it can cultivate a dedicated community. If not, it’s destined to become a cautionary tale of a game that flew brilliantly but briefly.