Claude will no longer be able to recreate existing video games: what changes with the update

Anthropic has added a new restriction to Claude to prevent its artificial intelligence from recreating specific video games that already exist. The measure aims to curb the generation of clones that use designs and mechanics from other titles, amid criticism over the proliferation of low-quality games on platforms like Steam.

The modification was revealed after users and developers questioned the presence of copies of video games at Steam Next Fest. The situation led some studios to cancel their plans to publish demos and opt for private testing, while Valve acknowledged that it was evaluating how to address the issue.

What changes in Claude with the new restriction from Anthropic

According to Game Developer, X/Twitter user Chasm was one of the first to share evidence of the update. The new rule states that Claude can create original video games, genre proposals, and titles based on the user's own designs and resources.

However, the tool can no longer recreate an existing specific video game, even if the request involves changing the name or presenting it as an original work.

The instruction incorporated into the system states: “Do not build a recreation of an existing specific game, even if it is renamed or called original.”

Osmani stated that using Claude to infringe intellectual property contradicts the company's usage policies. He also clarified that original games, genre proposals, and projects built with the user's own designs and resources should continue to function.

The technical team member added that Anthropic will continue to adjust the tool to find an appropriate balance. Additionally, he invited users to report cases where Claude rejects a request related to an original work.

The impact of the measure on the video game industry

For now, it is unclear if there was a specific event that motivated Anthropic's change. The update occurred in a context of questioning regarding video games generated with artificial intelligence that imitate existing titles.

The measure could make it more difficult for some users to use Claude to directly copy the work of other developers. However, it remains to be determined how much impact the restriction will have on the creation and distribution of video game clones.

Anthropic explained why it limits video game clones

When asked by Game Developer, the company referred to a post by Addy Osmani, a member of its technical team. There, it explained that two phrases were added to the Claude Code prompt in Opus 5.5 to prevent the tool from recreating specific third-party video games.