Kiln – Everything You Need to Know About Double Fine’s Next Game

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Double Fine, known for their creative games, has come up with a wonderfully strange idea for an online fighting game. Kiln started as a fun side project for the team, letting them explore their most unusual concepts. It’s a chaotic multiplayer game where you build things, and then use those creations to battle others. It’s a unique mix of physics-based fighting and a pottery simulator, and promises something truly different. Here are fifteen things to know before getting it.

Game Overview

Kiln is a new, chaotic party game where two teams of four players battle it out. Matches are fast-paced and physics-based, similar to games like Party Animals, TowerFall Ascension, and Super Smash Bros., but with a unique pottery theme. The goal is to carry water and put out the opposing team’s kiln while defending your own. Winning isn’t just about being aggressive, though – it also requires quick reflexes, clever strategies, and teamwork.

You Build What You Fight With

In Kiln, you create your own ceramic pieces before each fight, and these become the tools you use in battle. This is a unique feature that sets it apart from other games where your character’s class defines their abilities. It’s surprisingly rewarding to send something you’ve crafted into combat, and whether it breaks or survives is a key part of the gameplay.

Pottery Design Impacts Gameplay

Okay, so the pots you make aren’t just for show – they actually change how the game plays! The shape and size of each pot I create affects how it handles, how tough it is, and how much water it can hold. It gets even cooler – different pot types like bowls, jugs, and bottles will have unique combat moves. Basically, sculpting isn’t just about being creative; it’s a real strategy element. There are so many different ways to design things, I can make some truly one-of-a-kind pottery.

Size Defines Your Role

Okay, so I’ve been playing Kiln, and here’s what I’ve learned about building a good team. You really want a mix of pot sizes! The smaller plates and pots are super quick and nimble – perfect for darting in, doing some damage, and getting out before anyone can react. They’re great for annoying the bigger guys. But don’t count out the large vases! They’re slow, yeah, but they can take a ton of punishment. They’re basically tanks, able to soak up damage and just push right through enemy lines. So a good team needs both speed and durability, that’s the key!

You Can Save Your Favourite Designs

Throwing pottery can be relaxing and rewarding, but sometimes you’ll want to work faster. That’s where Kiln comes in – it lets you save up to three of your favorite pot designs, so you can quickly choose them before starting a new match. This saves time recreating successful designs, while still giving you plenty of options and encouraging creativity during the sculpting process.

Physics-Based Action Drives the Battle Experience

Battles in Kiln are chaotic and physics-based, often feeling hilariously unpredictable. Pots bounce, crash, and roll around the carefully crafted arenas, so skillful aiming isn’t as important as adapting to the madness. The key to winning—and having a blast—is learning to use the game’s physics to your advantage.

Water Management is Key

In the game Kiln, water is your main weapon for putting out your opponent’s fire, but it’s also limited – you have to collect and conserve it. The size of your container determines how much water you can carry, and you’ll find it in puddles around the arena. While rushing to attack seems tempting, you risk losing water by bumping into obstacles. A balanced strategy – being both careful and quick – might be the most effective way to win, even though that sounds contradictory.

You Can Switch Pots After Death

Unlike other games where you’re stuck with one strategy, Kiln lets you change your pot design after you’re out of a round. This allows you to adjust its shape, size, and overall build to better help your team and respond to what’s happening in the battle. However, matches can be quite fast-paced and confusing, so it will be important to see how the game gives players enough information to understand how their team is doing.

Pots Can Be Healed During Battle

During combat, your ship will inevitably take damage. But this wear and tear isn’t just for show or to emphasize how easily things can break. We’ve designed a repair system inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which beautifully repairs broken pottery with gold-laced lacquer, highlighting the object’s history. Instead of simply fixing damage, our Kiln system takes inspiration from this art form, turning a necessary mechanical process into something visually striking and meaningful.

Special Attacks Are Tied to Pot Type

As we touched on before, each pot type has unique special attacks beyond just moving and fighting. The developers are really embracing crazy abilities to create memorable, over-the-top moments. For example, cups can fire popcorn like exploding shrapnel, bottles can turn into flying swords, and plates can throw pies. Even jugs can change shape into megaphones, blasting opponents with sound. There are many more, showing that choosing a pot isn’t just about staying alive – it’s about the fun, silly powers you’ll get in battle.

The Pottery Wheel is Fully Realised

I have to say, the pottery in Kiln is seriously impressive! It’s way more than just a little side thing to do before a match. They’ve built a complete pottery wheel experience with tons of different tools, techniques, and ways to decorate your creations. What really surprised me is how easy it is to pick up. You absolutely don’t need to be a pottery expert or even a hardcore gamer to get the hang of it. It feels almost arcade-like, with a really clear and simple layout. Whether you’re trying to make the perfect pot for a specific build, or just want to relax and get creative, anyone can enjoy it!

There is a Learning Curve

One potential issue some players have noticed is that the game might be a little difficult to pick up at first. This will likely depend on the player, and it might not bother everyone, but it’s worth mentioning. Everything else suggests Kiln is designed to be easy to learn and enjoyable. Specifically, the process of firing your pottery – saving your work – isn’t immediately obvious. The developers could likely fix this with a small adjustment to the user experience. The game’s physics-based mechanics may also take some practice, but that’s expected and can actually add to the fun.

The Wedge is a Place to Show Off Creations

Beyond playing matches in Kiln, there’s a social area called The Wedge. Here, you can share your pottery creations with other players, practice your skills, and customize your pieces. The Wedge also has a shop where you can use chips you’ve won to buy things like new stickers, glazes, and decorations.

Release Date, Platforms, and Price

Kiln will be available on April 23rd for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (through Steam). The base game costs $19.99, while the Fired-Up Edition, which includes extra decorative items, is priced at $29.99. Plus, it will be available to play with Xbox Game Pass starting on launch day.

PC Requirements

To run Kiln, you’ll need at least an Intel Core i5-9400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, a GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM. For a smoother experience, the developers recommend an Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X processor, a GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. The game requires 8GB of storage space.

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2026-04-20 18:18