Double Fine Reveals Kiln, a Pottery Party Brawler That Lets You Skip the Combat Entirely
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Double Fine announced Kiln at the Xbox Developer Direct, a pottery-based party brawler where players can either fight using custom ceramic creations or entirely skip the combat to enjoy a peaceful digital pottery simulator ahead of its Spring 2026 release.
Double Fine dropped a major surprise during the recent Xbox Developer Direct with Kiln, a multiplayer party game centered entirely around crafting and occasionally smashing ceramic earthenware. Players sculpt and fire their own pots, vases, and urns to use as combatants in online matches. However, the studio confirmed that you can completely ignore the fighting mechanics and simply treat the game as a relaxing pottery simulator. Project lead Derek Brand explained to Xbox Wire that the intuitive clay shaping system is intentionally designed to appeal to players who might normally skip multiplayer action entirely.
For those who do decide to step into the arena, your custom sculptures directly dictate your tactical capabilities. Shape affects everything on the battlefield. Tall vases hold more water for objective modes like Quench, but they move slower and offer less stability, while smaller plates lack carrying capacity but bounce between enemies with sharp rim attacks. With twenty four different moves tied to specific pot designs, the game blends creative expression with chaotic party physics. Double Fine also noted that the project originated as a prototype during their 2017 Amnesia Fortnight game jam, evolving into a much more colorful and polished experience while notably keeping the entire production free of generative AI.
Kiln is scheduled to launch in Spring 2026 for PC and consoles, with a day one release on Game Pass for subscribers. Beta playtest signups are currently open for players eager to test their pottery skills early. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, this creative multiplayer spin offers a refreshing change of pace for a studio known for imaginative design, giving both competitive brawlers and peaceful digital artisans a reason to check in.
Original reporting by James Archer at Rock Paper Shotgun
Tags: Double Fine, Kiln, Xbox Game Pass, Indie Games, Party Brawler
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun