System Prompt Update
Anthropic has updated Claude Code’s system prompt to prevent the AI tool from being used to re-create existing video games. Retro gaming has experienced an influx of AI-made decompilations, recompilations, and ports, prompting the company to restrict direct cloning while still permitting general game development.
Anthropic Clamps Down on Claude AI Video Game Clones
Anthropic is steering Claude away from re-creating specific titles, though users remain able to build their own independent games.
Policy and Enforcement
A user on social media posted screenshots indicating new additions to Claude Code’s system prompt instructing the model to build original games and genre titles while avoiding the recreation of specific existing games, regardless of whether the project is called original.
An Anthropic representative acknowledged that the company updated the system prompt within Claude Code on Opus 5.5.
The company stated that the prompt adjustment was made to discourage using Claude to infringe intellectual property, which violates usage policies. Original games, genre titles, and projects using user-owned designs continue to be supported, with further iterations planned to balance policy enforcement and user utility.
Inquiries were made to Anthropic regarding whether similar system prompt updates would be rolled out across other versions of Claude.
