BUSINESSNew tool · · 2 min read · Source: heise online
Claude Code: Anthropic blocks copies of existing games
Anthropic has given its Opus 5.5 model in Claude Code new instructions not to recreate specific existing games. heise reported the change on November 2, 2026, and an Anthropic spokesperson confirmed it.
Key facts
- Anthropic has instructed Claude Code (Opus 5.5) not to recreate specific existing games; heise reported it on November 2, 2026.
- Original games in known genres and projects based on your own designs remain allowed.
- An Anthropic spokesperson confirmed the change; the company plans to refine the rule based on feedback.
What the rule covers
The new rule is narrow:
- No longer allowed: recreating a specific existing game, meaning its name, characters, art, music, levels or look.
- Still allowed: original games in a known genre or with similar mechanics.
- Still allowed: projects based on your own designs and assets.
An Anthropic developer said the step follows from the terms of use, which already prohibit infringing third-party intellectual property. The rule now enforces that inside the tool itself.
The background
During Steam Next Fest in October, AI-generated copies of game demos caused a stir. Some small studios canceled public demos or postponed playtests for fear of copycats. According to heise, some even reported extortion attempts threatening to release a copy early.
Complaints about overly strict refusals
At the same time, developers told Tom's Hardware that Claude Code refused work on their own projects, such as anti-cheat software or reverse engineering. Whether that comes from the new game rule or from other safety mechanisms is unclear, and Anthropic has not commented on individual cases. According to heise, the company plans to refine the rule based on feedback, as it did earlier with overly strict filters for security tasks.
What this means for you
- AI coding tools are increasingly enforcing intellectual property themselves, not just through terms of use.
- If you build your own games, apps or prototypes with Claude Code, you are not affected as long as you don't copy an existing work.
- Refusals can hit legitimate work too; Anthropic says it will adjust based on feedback.
How to use this
When briefing AI coding tools, use your own names, characters and assets instead of references to existing products. If the tool still refuses, state the legitimate purpose in one sentence.
Luigi's take
I think the direction is right. When a tool can copy a small studio's work in minutes, that is not progress; it is a problem for everyone building something of their own. What stands out is that the line is drawn inside the tool. Expect more of that, for text, images and brands too.
For you as a freelancer or in a company, that means: describe your projects with your own ideas, names and assets, not "make me something like X". It is cleaner legally, and the result ends up more original. And if the tool refuses legitimate work, briefly explain the purpose and report the case to the vendor.
Source
heise online: Claude Code: Anthropic verschärft Regeln gegen Spieleklone
More sources
- Tom's Hardware – Berichte von Entwicklern über abgelehnte Aufgaben (nicht unabhängig geprüft)
This article was researched and written with AI assistance. Responsible: Luigi Lugmayr.
