Double Fine Productions has announced the official release date of Kiln, the peculiar multiplayer brawler party based on the art of ceramics. It has been confirmed that the title will be available from April 23, but we will have the chance to try it out early.

The team has in fact announced an Open Beta, available exclusively on Steam from April 9 to 11; shortly before departure, a button will be added on Steam to participate in the Beta.

The project has distant origins: conceived in 2017 by Derek Brand during the "Amnesia Fortnight" event (a two-week jam in which the studio creates game prototypes), Kiln remained in the shadows for almost a decade before returning to the spotlight during the Xbox Developer Direct in January 2026. What started as a concept for a team-based brawler with physics-based animations and destruction, has now turned into a rich experience focused entirely on the art of ceramics.

Inside Kiln we will be called upon to model our clay alter ego using a virtual lathe with very intuitive controls. Starting from a small, medium or large clay ball, we can give life to vases, goblets or bottles. Our choices during creation will directly affect the gameplay: the shape and size will determine the character's stats, such as health and water capacity, as well as providing us with unique special abilities. We will also have the possibility to customize the appearance of our creations with nail polishes and various purely aesthetic accessories.

Once we take the field, we will dive into chaotic four-on-four team brawls. Our primary goal will be to collect water to extinguish the opposing team's furnace three times, while trying to literally shatter enemy vessels in hand-to-hand combat. Finally, as confirmed by Derek Brand, the studio has decided not to include any support for built-in voice chat, a choice made to keep the gaming environment serene, safe and suitable for players of all ages.