Escape from Duckov became one of 2025’s breakout indie hits, combining satirical humor with the tension of games like Tarkov. Yet many fans wonder whether its chaotic loot-and-extract gameplay supports playing with friends. Here’s the real answer.

The single-player setup explained

Despite its multiplayer-sounding name, Escape from Duckov is a pure PvE single-player game. Players control a duck navigating the bizarre wasteland of Duckov, scavenging loot, fighting AI enemies, and building up a hideout between runs. Team Soda, the developer, designed the experience to be a self-contained solo challenge rather than a cooperative shooter.

While the game’s large maps and extraction mechanics echo multiplayer titles, the encounters are entirely AI-driven, creating a more controlled and strategic experience.

Why multiplayer rumors started

The similarity to Escape from Tarkov led many players to assume that Duckov also offered online co-op or PvP. Its mechanics—raiding, looting, extracting—mirror Tarkov’s core gameplay, but with cartoon ducks and a top-down perspective. However, every official statement and Steam listing identifies it solely as a single-player title.​

Community effort toward co-op play

Via Reddit

Although there’s no official multiplayer yet, the community is actively developing a co-op mod through Steam Workshop. The mod, now in beta, reportedly supports two-player sessions, allowing shared looting and synchronized environments.

According to early testers, some features stand out:

  • Only the host’s workbench progression saves.
  • Dead players can’t be revived and switch to spectator mode.
  • Friendly fire exists for explosives but not guns yet.

This mod remains community-driven, and bugs or desync issues are still being fixed before a stable public release.

Future possibilities for multiplayer

As of October 2025, Team Soda has made no official announcements regarding an integrated multiplayer mode. The developers have supported modding tools and Steam Workshop integration, suggesting openness to community innovation but not internal plans to expand core gameplay beyond single-player.