The indie studio Double Fine continues its streak of compact titles after last year's immersive adventure Keeper. Today, during the Xbox Developer Direct, founder Tim Schafer struggled to pronounce the name repeatedly as he introduced Kiln, a vibrant online multiplayer game blending pottery-making with chaotic combat, delivering the whimsical entertainment signature to the developer's audience.
Kiln combines artistic crafting and competitive smashing. In the crafting phase, participants shape custom pottery pieces ranging from delicate plates to large containers. Footage from the event highlighted mechanics inspired by traditional wheel-throwing techniques, allowing additions like colorful glazes and decals for unique touches.
After completing their pieces, players engage in battles of demolition. The featured mode, Quench, resembles capture-the-flag gameplay where teams transport water in their crafted pots to extinguish the rival team's kiln fire while defending their own. Various pot designs offer distinct abilities to shatter opponents' ware, encouraging thoughtful squad setups that balance protection and aggression for tactical depth.
Kiln promises an entertaining experience and is slated for release in spring 2026. It will launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Steam, with access through services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Cloud Gaming.