Kiln

Kiln is a party brawler game developed by Double Fine Productions. The game was published by Xbox Game Studios on April 23, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. It was the surprise reveal that closed out the Xbox Developer Direct in January 2026. Because it was published by Xbox, the game was on Xbox Game Pass day one. It is also a part of Play Anywhere. I played it through Xbox on PC.

When I first saw it, I thought it was a bit. It sounds like a bit until it starts making sense. Two teams of spirits sculpt clay vessels on a pottery wheel, climb inside them, and then throw those ceramic bodies at each other across an arena until one team's kiln gets doused. It comes from the same Microsoft-owned studio behind Psychonauts and Broken Age, and it began years earlier as an experiment during Double Fine's internal Amnesia Fortnight game jam before growing into a full release on Unreal Engine 5.

What is Kiln and how does the pottery brawler work?

Everything in Kiln starts at the pottery wheel. Using a two-button system to pull and squeeze raw clay, you sculpt a vessel, a plate, cup, bowl, bottle, jug, chalice, or tall vase, and a spirit inhabits it as its body for the match. The shapes are not cosmetic. They set the physics and the moveset, so a flat plate ricochets around the arena like a hockey puck, a small cup launches itself forward and explodes, a long vessel bursts open with popcorn, a bowl swipes at foes like a blade, and a large jug rings like a bell to stun anyone nearby.

There are more than 20 distinct shape and size combinations to sculpt, each with its own attack and its own trade-offs. A tall vase holds more water but goes top-heavy and slow, while a squat little cup is fragile but fast. Working out which pot fits how you want to play, and which one counters the team on the other side, is the whole hook.

How Kiln's Quench mode and 4v4 matches work

The main competitive mode is Quench, a 4v4 fight where two teams battle to extinguish the enemy's kiln. Players collect water across the arena, carry it in the vessel they sculpted, and then unload it on the opposing side's flaming kiln. When a vessel is filled to the brim, holding the trigger commits to a Super Splash aimed at the kiln's open mouth, which is the fastest way to swing a round. First team to douse the other's kiln takes the match.

Because your pot is both your weapon and your water tank, every Quench match turns into a tug of war between smashing enemy vessels and protecting your own long enough to make the run. Matches are short, loud, and lean on team coordination more than raw aggression.

Kiln pot shapes, glazes, and the Wedge explained

Between matches you spend time in the Wedge, Kiln's central hub and crafting space. This is where you sculpt at the wheel, decorate your pots, and mess around without the pressure of a live match. Decoration runs deeper than paint, with slots for glazes, spouts, handles, toppers, charms, and stickers, and filling every slot on a single pot is its own reward.

Progression is tied to Chips, the in-game currency earned through play and spent at the Shop, run by an NPC named Slip. Chips buy new glazes, tools, and cosmetics. Kintsugi Paste handles healing during matches, the Ruler tool helps sculpt to precise proportions, and the whole thing tops out at Level 50. Collecting pots, including ones other players made and shared, fills out a personal Collection that carries between sessions.

Kiln release date, platforms, and Xbox Game Pass

Kiln released on April 23, 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC, developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Xbox Game Studios as a first-party title. It was included with Game Pass at launch, and on platforms without the subscription it sits at a budget price rather than full retail cost. Buying it once on Xbox covers both console and PC.

The game supports crossplay multiplayer across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, which matters for a title that lives or dies on its player count. It is online-only and requires a persistent internet connection, so there is no offline versus-AI mode to fall back on. Kiln first appeared as the closing surprise of the Xbox Developer Direct in January 2026, roughly three months before it shipped.

Kiln achievements

Kiln ships with 30 achievements for a total of 1,000 Gamerscore, with no DLC packs at launch. The game has 31 Trophies on PlayStation, including a Platinum one for getting all the others. Most of them split into two buckets, long-haul crafting and collection goals earned in the Wedge, and trickier conditional unlocks tied to winning Quench matches in specific ways. Full completion runs roughly 35 to 40 hours, largely because of the time-based grinds, which is one of the main reasons I haven't gone back and gotten all of the achievements.

Kiln Achievements

Kiln FAQs

Is Kiln on Xbox Game Pass?

Yes. Kiln was on Xbox Game Pass from day one on April 23, 2026, playable on Xbox Series X|S and PC through the subscription.

Is Kiln single-player or multiplayer only?

Kiln is multiplayer only. There is no campaign or single-player mode. You can sculpt and decorate pots solo in the Wedge, but the actual matches are team-based online play.

Can you play Kiln solo or offline?

Not really. Kiln requires a persistent internet connection, so there is no offline mode. You can craft alone in the Wedge, but Quench matches need an online lobby.

Is Kiln crossplay between Xbox, PS5, and PC?

Yes. Kiln supports crossplay multiplayer across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC, so players on different systems share the same matches.

Who developed Kiln?

Kiln was developed by Double Fine Productions, the Xbox-owned studio behind Psychonauts and Broken Age, and published by Xbox Game Studios. It grew out of the studio's internal Amnesia Fortnight game jam.

What is Quench mode in Kiln?

Quench is Kiln's main competitive mode, a 4v4 match where teams collect water in their sculpted vessels and use it to douse the enemy team's kiln. The first team to put out the opposing kiln wins.

How many achievements does Kiln have?

Kiln has 30 achievements worth 1,000 Gamerscore, with full completion taking around 35 to 40 hours thanks to several time-based grinds.

Is Kiln on PS5?

Yes. Kiln released on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox and PC on April 23, 2026, at a budget price, and it plays crossplay with the other versions. On PS5 the game has 31 Trophies, all the same ones that are on Xbox, but with the addition of the Platinum Trophy for getting all of the others.