Anthropic adds Claude Code limits to block game cloning
The gist
Anthropic added two sentences to Claude Code's Opus 5.5 prompt to steer it from recreating existing games.
Developers say the filter also blocks reverse-engineering and debugging of their own projects.
How it unfolded
- Oct 27, 2026X user Chasm spotted the new Claude Code instruction: original games, genre titles and projects built from a user's own assets remain allowed, while recreating a specific existing game is off limits even under a new name.
- Oct 30, 2026Addy Osmani of Anthropic's technical staff confirmed the change on X, citing a usage policy banning IP infringement.
- Oct 31, 2026Tom's Hardware alumnus Jarred Walton reported his reverse-engineering checks ran without issue until October 31, and switching to Opus 4.8 let him continue; PC Gamer reported the update followed weeks of AI-made games flooding Steam.