The world of gaming news can be wonderfully unpredictable. Some days are quiet, while others are packed with major releases like Silksong, Borderlands 4, and Bloodlines 2. Then, there are those truly remarkable days – like today – when an unexpected gem, an Escape from Tarkov parody charmingly named Escape From Duckov, completely eclipses Battlefield 6 on Steam. This quirky title has soared past the major FPS game’s player count, landing itself a spot in the top four of Steam’s ‘most played’ list. As a news editor, these are the moments I live for!
For those unfamiliar, Escape From Duckov is a delightful parody of Battlestate’s massive extraction shooter, Escape from Tarkov. Developed by Team Soda, it swaps intense encounters with hostile scavengers for charming rubber duckies and delivers a captivating single-player experience. This game has recently exploded in popularity, earning a stellar 96% positive rating on Steam and achieving the highly sought-after ‘overwhelmingly positive’ status. It has even outshone anticipated new titles like Bloodlines 2 and Jurassic World Evolution 3, proving to be one of 2025’s most surprising hits.
Despite a strong launch last week, Escape From Duckov has only continued to gather momentum (pun intended), hitting a massive peak of 255,556 active players at the time of this writing. This impressive figure places it just shy of perennial giants like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG, yet comfortably above Battlefield 6, which holds a ‘very positive’ 80% rating.
While our own PK highly praised EA’s latest military shooter in a dedicated review, giving it an impressive 9/10, Battlefield 6‘s player count has seen a gradual decline over the past week. This isn’t entirely unexpected, as it’s a common trajectory for many video games. However, did I anticipate it being surpassed by a game featuring rubber ducks, one that defies typical trends? Not at all. And honestly, I love being proven wrong.
With over 500,000 copies sold since its release on Thursday, October 16, Escape From Duckov is clearly thriving, and it’s a truly heartwarming sight. 2025 has been a year of delightful surprises – from Expedition 33 and Blue Prince to Schedule 1 – and Duckov is yet another fantastic curveball. In an era where “triple-A fatigue” is a real concern, this delightful chaos is a welcome breath of fresh air.
Escape from Duckov is currently available on Steam for $15.83 / £15.83, with this special pricing lasting until Thursday, October 30.
For those dedicated to Battlefield who find it hard to believe an avian shooter could be its rival, extensive resources are available, including guides on the best Battlefield 6 weapons and guns to help you dominate the battlefield. Alternatively, if Escape From Duckov has sparked an interest in unique gaming experiences, there’s a comprehensive list of other fantastic indie games to explore, many of which offer equally captivating, albeit perhaps less overtly humorous, experiences.
Are you diving into Escape From Duckov, or are you holding the line in Battlefield? Join the conversation and share your thoughts or favorite loadouts!