Key Facts
- ✓ Double Fine's Kiln is an online multiplayer party brawler where the primary mechanic is sculpting pottery on a spinning wheel.
- ✓ The game features a 4v4 battle mode called Quench, where teams compete to extinguish the opposing team's kiln using water from their pots.
- ✓ Every pot's physical shape, determined by the player's sculpting, dictates its movement speed, water capacity, and damage output.
- ✓ Kiln includes special moves unique to each pot's shape, such as popcorn explosions, sword transformations, and pie flinging.
- ✓ The battlefields are themed around the mythology and architecture of ancient Greece and Egypt.
- ✓ The title is scheduled for release in Spring 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and will launch day-one on Xbox Game Pass.
Quick Summary
Double Fine Productions is preparing to launch its next major title, Kiln, an online multiplayer party brawler with a uniquely tactile premise. The game, which has been in development since at least 2017, combines the meditative art of pottery with the chaotic energy of competitive team battles.
Players will step into the role of a potter, using various tools to sculpt their vessels on a spinning wheel. Once the perfect pot is formed, it is sent into a 4v4 arena called Quench, where teams compete to douse the opponent's kiln. The physical properties of each pot—determined by the player's own hands—directly influence movement, attack power, and special abilities.
The Art of the Craft
The core gameplay loop of Kiln begins long before the first battle. Unlike standard character creators with simple sliders, this game requires active participation in the creation process. Players physically manipulate a cursor on a spinning pottery wheel, using a variety of tools to shape the clay.
The available tools include:
- Sponges for smoothing surfaces
- Shapers for defining curves and edges
- Scrapers for refining details
- Hands for direct, organic manipulation
Every decision made during the sculpting phase has a tangible impact on the final product. The size, shape, and thickness of the pot are not just aesthetic choices; they are the foundation of the player's combat strategy.
Physics-Based Combat
Once a pot is fired and ready, it enters the Quench mode. The physics engine ensures that no two pots behave exactly alike. Larger, bulkier pots possess a significant advantage in water capacity, allowing them to unleash sustained streams to extinguish enemy kilns. However, their mass makes them slower and less agile.
Conversely, smaller, flatter pots sacrifice water volume for speed and sharp edges. These vessels can move quickly across the battlefield and deal increased damage through collisions. The arenas themselves are designed with this variety in mind, featuring narrow tunnels and pathways that are accessible only to pots of specific dimensions.
Based on the pot you've made, you'll have different capabilities.
Furthermore, each unique pot shape unlocks a distinct special move. These abilities range from the practical to the absurd, including:
- Popcorn explosions
- Transforming into a sword
- Metaphone projection
- Pie flinging
Aesthetic and Thematic Depth
Beyond the functional aspects of pottery, Kiln offers extensive aesthetic customization. Players can decorate their creations with a variety of colors, handles, and stickers, ensuring that every pot is a unique expression of its creator. This visual variety adds a layer of personality to the chaotic battles.
The game's visual identity is heavily influenced by history. The battlefields are themed around the mythology and architectural styles of ancient societies renowned for their pottery. Specifically, maps draw inspiration from the classical aesthetics of Greece and the iconic motifs of Egypt. This thematic grounding provides a rich backdrop for the otherwise whimsical gameplay.
Double Fine has confirmed that the game will launch with several maps, with the promise of additional content to follow. The studio is committed to ongoing updates, suggesting that the world of Kiln will continue to expand post-launch.
Release Details
Kiln is officially slated for a Spring 2026 release. It will be available across all major platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
For subscribers to Microsoft's gaming service, the title will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass. This accessibility ensures that players can jump into the pottery wars immediately upon release without an upfront purchase.
The announcement was part of a broader showcase of upcoming titles, highlighting the diverse and ambitious projects currently in the pipeline at Double Fine Productions.
Looking Ahead
Kiln represents a bold fusion of creativity and competition. By grounding its combat mechanics in the physical act of sculpting, Double Fine is offering a gameplay experience that is as much about artistry as it is about strategy. The success of this unique premise will depend on the balance between the game's physics and the accessibility of its controls.
As the Spring 2026 release window approaches, anticipation builds for how the community will embrace this unconventional brawler. With its promise of deep customization, physics-driven battles, and a commitment to post-launch support, Kiln is poised to be one of the most distinctive titles of the upcoming year.
