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Build an original game with Claude Code

Anthropic told Claude Code not to recreate a specific existing game. Use it to design and build a game that's actually yours.

By Alan Brown · Works with Claude Code

Video cover: Claude Code won't clone games now. Build an original one

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Jump to the prompt ↓

🎮 Anthropic just told Claude Code to stop cloning video games.

🕵️ X user Chasm spotted a new line in Claude Code's prompts, pushed around 27 October: "Do not build a recreation of a specific existing game, even if it is renamed or called original."
🗣️ Anthropic's Addy Osmani confirmed it: two sentences were added to steer Claude Code away from recreating someone else's specific game.
✅ He said original games, genre games and games built from your own designs and assets are meant to keep working: www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/anthropic-appears-to-have-ordered-ai-tool-claude-to-stop-remaking-video-games
📈 Steam's October 2026 Next Fest had 7,240 games, up from 4,382 in June and 2,963 a year earlier; 2,502 of them disclosed AI use: howtomarketagame.com/2026/10/21/how-sloppy-is-the-october-2026-steam-next-fest/

Context & limitations

Making a game with AI isn't banned. Copying one is. The prompt below helps you build something original instead.

Do this yourself

Help me design and build an original game with you, step by step. I'm working in Claude Code. First, ask me one question at a time: 1. What genre or feel I like (e.g. roguelike, cosy farming, survivors-style), and 1–2 games I enjoy, only as inspiration. 2. What platform: browser, desktop or mobile. 3. How much time I have and how comfortable I am with code. Then pitch me 3 original concepts. For each: a one-line hook, the core loop, one mechanic that makes it different from the games I named, and a working title that isn't close to an existing game's name. When I pick one: - Write a one-page design doc (core loop, controls, win/lose, the first 3 levels or waves). - Build the smallest playable version first, then stop and let me play it before adding more. - Use placeholder shapes or art I make myself; don't copy characters, names, maps or assets from existing games. Keep it a genre game, not a recreation of any specific game. If a request of mine drifts into copying one, say so and suggest an original alternative.

Genre games and your own designs still work. Starting from your own hook, rules and art, rather than "make me X", gives Claude Code something to build and gives you a game nobody can call a copy.

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Pathwise Academy runs small, hands-on AI classes in Singapore for ages 10–17 and adults.

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