Kiln: Double Fine’s Pottery Brawler Launches April 23

Mark your calendars for a chaotic and creative clash of ceramics. Kiln, the unique multiplayer online pottery party brawler from Double Fine, is set to launch on April 23. The game will be available across a wide range of platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, while also supporting Xbox Play Anywhere and handheld-optimized play. For those eager to jump in early, an open beta will run on Steam from April 9 through April 11, with opportunities for closed playtests available before then.

Having recently observed the game’s public debut at the Day of the Devs event, the vibrant energy was impossible to miss. Attendees cycled through sessions, first experimenting in a social hub—where the pottery wheel proved a major draw—before diving into frenetic 4v4 matches. The core loop is brilliantly simple yet ripe for depth. Players shape a ball of clay into a vessel, with the resulting form—be it a bowl, bottle, or chalice—dictating its in-game stats and special abilities. After adding decorative glazes and attachments purely for style, it’s time to brawl. Matches pit two teams of four pots against each other in a race to gather water and douse the opposing team’s kiln three times, all while engaging in chaotic combat that involves breaking enemy pots.

The act of creation on the pottery wheel was a universal delight. People of all ages, especially younger players, were captivated by the intuitive controls. One participant, a practicing potter, exclaimed how authentically fun the system felt. The tools offer a welcoming entry point with themed cosmetic sets, yet also allow for impressive creativity. During the event, one player crafted a formidable crab pot adorned with lobster claws, while another made a strikingly effective design that resembled a giant, glazed eyeball.

This philosophy of easy to learn but hard to master extends perfectly to the battle mechanics. Newcomers grasped the controls instantly and had a blast, but the interplay between pottery stats, special abilities, and map dynamics promises a high skill ceiling. Observers drew interesting parallels to team-based shooters like Overwatch, where roles naturally emerge: fast, small pots act like damage dealers, while large, sturdy vessels function as formidable tanks. Certain shapes provide tactical support, such as area-of-effect slowing powers. Crucially, victory hinges on playing the objective—quenching the enemy kiln—rather than just racking up breaks. The most effective players often used speed and stealth to focus on the goal while others were distracted by the fray.

The maps themselves are key to each match’s flow, each featuring distinct layouts and game-changing gimmicks. Set’s Basement Mosh Pit offers a linear, grungy club lane where a periodic mosh pit provides water, leading to swift games. In contrast, the more open Athena’s War Room and Dionysus’ Boogie Lounge encourage longer, sprawling battles. These arenas introduce interactive elements like water-absorbing sponges that block paths and a disco floor that forces players to dance. The combination of varied abilities and these dynamic environments creates wonderfully unpredictable and delightfully chaotic matches.

While the event showcased uncoordinated groups playing in friendly silence—a design choice that will carry over to the full release to maintain a positive atmosphere—the potential for high-level, coordinated team play is evident. Friends can group up using system-level party features, and the strategic depth suggests exciting possibilities for competitive play.

Reflecting on the open beta, the development team emphasized its importance for testing server capacity and, more importantly, for listening to player feedback. “We have a lot of possibilities with a game like Kiln—more customization, more maps, more modes,” a representative noted, stating that community reactions will directly shape post-launch priorities.

When Kiln arrives, players can choose between a Standard edition and a Fired Up edition. The premium bundle includes the base game along with exclusive cosmetic items like glazes, stickers, and custom pots, plus bonus chips, a currency used to unlock customization through gameplay. Pre-orders for both editions will become available when the open beta begins.