DUCKSIDE is a multiplayer persistent world survival game on PC where every player controls a duck in a large open island setting. The core loop combines scavenging, crafting, base building, and combat in a style reminiscent of established survival titles, but with the added twist of avian flight and duck-specific movement. Players wake up in this world and must gather resources to craft weapons and tools while constructing shelters that can be raided or destroyed by others.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on resource harvesting and crafting systems that support deep progression. Ducks collect materials across diverse biomes to build nests for storage and protection. These structures remain vulnerable to raids, requiring constant defense or strategic placement. A full day and night cycle influences visibility and activity, while human AI enemies add PvE threats alongside player encounters.
Flight forms a key mechanic, allowing ducks to glide, hover, accelerate, and dive through the air. Players can engage in combat while airborne, using weapons during flight for tactical advantages in fights or escapes. Base building extends beyond simple shelters to include fortifications that support long-term survival and loot protection.
Progression involves completing missions that reward gear and items, encouraging exploration of the map. Everything from weapons to structures carries risk, as destruction and looting remain constant threats in the persistent environment.
Game Modes
DUCKSIDE operates through official servers divided into PvP and PvE options, each with distinct wipe schedules that reset maps and blueprints on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cycles. These wipes maintain balance and fresh starts for players. Community servers allow custom settings for varied experiences.
PvE servers focus on missions, events, and AI interactions with reduced direct player conflict. PvP servers emphasize territorial fights between groups of ducks, where alliances form naturally around shared bases or resources. No dedicated single-player mode exists, as the design prioritizes multiplayer interactions in the shared world.
Building, Flight, and Combat Systems
Nest construction serves both defensive and storage purposes, with materials looted from the environment or defeated opponents. Crafting covers a range of weapons and tools adapted for duck use, supporting varied playstyles from ranged combat to close encounters.
The flight controller enables sophisticated aerial maneuvers that integrate directly with shooting and fighting. This system opens vertical gameplay layers, letting ducks dive into engagements or retreat quickly across the island. Encounters often involve mixed ground and air tactics against both AI humans and rival player ducks.
Is It Worth Playing?
DUCKSIDE suits players who enjoy persistent survival loops with crafting, building, and multiplayer conflict in an unconventional setting. The game remains in Early Access with ongoing updates that add weapons, missions, and refinements based on feedback. Regular server wipes keep the experience dynamic for returning players.
Those drawn to the duck theme and flight mechanics will find the core systems fully playable, including robust base building and mission rewards. Crossplay operates between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, though PC remains separate. The title appeals most to fans of open-world survival who appreciate humor alongside serious raiding and progression elements.