Anthropic has implemented new instructions in Claude Code's Opus 5.5 model to prevent the AI from being used to create direct clones of specific video games.
Anthropic has updated the system prompt for its Claude Code tool to prevent the AI from being used to recreate existing video games. The update specifically targets the Opus 5.5 model.
According to reports from Tom's Hardware and The Verge, a user on X identified new instructions added to the Claude Code system prompt. The directive, reportedly listed under "tengu_heron_brook," states: “Do build original games, games in a genre, and games from the user’s own designs and assets. Don’t build a recreation of a specific existing game, even if it is named or called original.”
Addy Osmani, a member of Anthropic’s technical staff, confirmed the update on X. Osmani stated, "We added two sentences to Claude Code’s prompt on Opus 5.5 to steer it away from recreating someone else’s specific game because using Claude to infringe IP is against our usage policy." Osmani noted that "Original games, genre games, and games built from your own designs and assets are meant to keep working," and added, "We’ll continue to iterate to ensure we’re striking the right balance."
While the update aims to prevent intellectual property infringement, some developers have reported that the new guardrails are causing unintended consequences. According to reports from Hothardware and BeInCrypto, legitimate developers have encountered refusals when attempting to work on their own projects. Reported issues include the AI blocking:
Some developers have expressed frustration that the restrictions lack user-facing toggles to disable the filters during permitted, non-malicious code analysis. In response to these difficulties, some developers have indicated they may explore alternative or open-weight models.
The move comes amid growing concerns within the gaming industry regarding AI-generated content. According to IGN, the gaming community has seen an increase in "AI slop," specifically low-effort clones appearing on platforms like Steam. This has led some studios to alter their release strategies. For example, Digital Sun Games canceled a public playtest for its upcoming game ReVamp due to fears that the demo could be ingested by AI tools to create clones before the original game's release.
Anthropic's update also follows a period of legal and financial activity for the company. According to BeInCrypto, Anthropic recently paid $1.5 billion to settle claims regarding pirated training books and has filed an IPO prospectus that flags liability from third-party misuse as a risk.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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