The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 showcase delivered exactly what was promised – deep dives into Forza Horizon 6, Fable, and Beast of Reincarnation. But true to tradition, Microsoft saved a surprise fourth game for the end. This time, it was Double Fine Productions stepping into the spotlight with Kiln, an online multiplayer pottery brawler that’s equal parts creativity and chaos.
From Game Jam Concept to Full Release
Kiln didn’t start as a major project. The game originated from Amnesia Fortnight 2017, Double Fine’s internal two-week game jam where team members pitch experimental ideas and build prototypes. For nearly nine years, this pottery concept sat on the shelf until the studio decided to transform it into a full-fledged multiplayer experience. Project lead Derek Brand spearheaded the pitch, envisioning a game that celebrates both the joy of creating beautiful objects and the satisfaction of destroying them.
Tim Schafer, Double Fine’s founder, introduced the game during the Developer Direct by literally sitting at a pottery wheel. The presentation immediately set the tone for what players can expect – a game that takes an unlikely concept and runs with it in the most Double Fine way possible. The studio behind Psychonauts 2 and Keeper has always embraced quirky ideas, and Kiln might be their quirkiest yet.
How the Pottery Warfare Actually Works
At its core, Kiln is a 4v4 team-based brawler with a twist. Before jumping into battle, players use a pottery wheel simulation to sculpt their character’s body. The game features accessible creation tools that recognize different shapes like cups, bowls, and plates. You can create massive tank-like vessels for heavy offense or nimble saucers for speed and agility. Every design choice affects your gameplay, balancing weight, defense, and special abilities.
The primary game mode, called Quench, tasks teams with collecting water in their pottery vessels and carrying it to the enemy’s kiln to extinguish it. Meanwhile, you’re defending your own kiln from the opposing team. Players can smash enemy pots to stop them from scoring, adding a layer of strategic destruction to the creative process. Different maps will offer varied terrain and challenges, with Double Fine emphasizing that each arena will feel distinctly different from the others.
What makes Kiln stand out is the personality system. The game animates your clay creations with expressive movements and behaviors, turning whatever shape you craft into a living, breathing character. This means your wonky handmade cup will have just as much character as a perfectly symmetrical vase. The art tool doubles as both a character creator and loadout builder, making customization central to the gameplay loop.
Cross-Platform Release This Spring
Kiln is launching in Spring 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. The game will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Play Anywhere. Double Fine has confirmed that closed beta testing will take place before the official launch, giving players early access to try the pottery warfare for themselves.
The cross-platform approach shows Microsoft’s continued commitment to making Xbox titles available across multiple ecosystems. Despite being a first-party Microsoft studio game, Kiln will launch simultaneously on PlayStation hardware, continuing the trend of selective multi-platform releases that Xbox has been pursuing in recent years.
Why This Secret Reveal Matters
Xbox Developer Direct presentations have built a reputation for surprise announcements. Last year’s event followed a similar pattern, and industry insiders like Shinobi602 and VGC correctly predicted that 2026 would include a smaller-scale original game from a first-party developer. While some fans might have hoped for something bigger, Kiln represents exactly what these showcases need – a palate cleanser between massive AAA announcements.
The game also demonstrates Microsoft’s willingness to greenlight experimental projects from its studios. In an era where game development budgets balloon into hundreds of millions, seeing a pottery brawler get the spotlight sends a clear message that creativity still has a place alongside blockbuster franchises. Double Fine’s track record with unique concepts like Psychonauts and Brutal Legend suggests they know how to make weird work.
What Sets Kiln Apart From Other Party Games
The multiplayer party game space is crowded. From Fall Guys to Among Us, players have plenty of options for chaotic group fun. Kiln differentiates itself through the pottery creation mechanic, which adds a layer of personalization that most arena brawlers lack. Every match starts with crafting your vessel, making each player’s experience unique before the fighting even begins.
The game draws loose comparisons to MOBAs like League of Legends in terms of team-based objectives, and to Splatoon with its focus on territorial control through the water-carrying mechanic. But the pottery angle is completely original. No other game lets you sculpt a functional character design that directly impacts your playstyle. The depth of the pottery wheel tools could make or break the experience – if the creation feels too complex, casual players might bounce off; if it’s too simple, the novelty could wear thin quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kiln releasing?
Kiln is scheduled to launch in Spring 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The exact release date hasn’t been announced yet, but closed beta tests will happen before the official launch.
Will Kiln be on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Kiln will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It will also support Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to play across PC and console with shared progress.
Is Kiln a single-player or multiplayer game?
Kiln is primarily an online multiplayer game focused on 4v4 team battles. The main mode, Quench, requires teamwork to carry water to the enemy kiln while defending your own. Online matchmaking will help fill teams.
What is Double Fine’s Amnesia Fortnight?
Amnesia Fortnight is Double Fine’s internal two-week game jam where employees pitch ideas and create prototypes. Previous Amnesia Fortnight projects that became full games include Costume Quest and Stacking. Kiln started as a 2017 prototype.
Do I need artistic skills to play Kiln?
No, Kiln features accessible pottery creation tools designed for all skill levels. The game recognizes shapes automatically and provides sculpting controls that don’t require real pottery experience. Even simple designs will be animated with personality.
Can I play Kiln on PlayStation and Xbox together?
Double Fine hasn’t confirmed cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation and Xbox yet. The game is launching on both platforms simultaneously, but cross-play details haven’t been announced as of the Developer Direct reveal.
What other games were announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2026?
Besides Kiln, the showcase featured Forza Horizon 6 (releasing May 19, 2026), the Fable reboot (coming Fall 2026), and Beast of Reincarnation from Pokemon developer Game Freak (launching Summer 2026).
The Bottom Line
Kiln proves that not every game announcement needs to be a billion-dollar franchise or a hyper-realistic shooter. Sometimes the gaming industry needs a pottery brawler where clay pots beat each other up over water rights. Double Fine has built its reputation on taking absurd concepts and executing them with heart and polish. If Kiln delivers on the promise shown in the Developer Direct reveal, it could become the surprise multiplayer hit of 2026. The spring release window means we won’t have to wait long to get our hands dirty with some competitive ceramic crafting.