The new rule
Anthropic has set new rules for its AI programming tool Claude Code. According to Martin Cid Magazine, the tool refuses requests to rebuild a specific existing video game – even if it is renamed or described as original. According to the quoted passages, original games, games in existing genres, and games built from the user's own designs and assets remain allowed.
How it came about
According to reports, an X user discovered the rule in Claude Code's internal instructions. According to the available information, Anthropic has not announced it publicly. A spokesperson pointed to a post by Addy Osmani from the company's technical staff, who justified the line by avoiding IP infringement.
Criticism and open questions
According to Golem, developers say the rule also affects legitimate projects. The sources leave open how the tool can tell whether a user actually owns a game idea or its assets. According to the source, Osmani's statement refers to Claude Code on Opus 5.5; according to the passages, Anthropic has not said whether other models or the regular Claude chat follow the same rule.
Context
For small studios, the rule may change the default rather than the overall picture: according to the source, anyone wanting to copy a game with Anthropic's tool now needs a deliberate workaround. How much this matters in practice depends on how other providers handle it – that remains open.
Sources
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