# Claude Stops Game Cloning

> Anthropic's Claude now blocks copying specific games but still supports modding and reverse engineering.
- Title: Claude Stops Game Cloning · PCMAG | Shortify
- Summary: Anthropic's Claude now blocks copying specific games but still supports modding and reverse engineering.
- Keywords: anthropic, claude, game cloning, reverse engineering, modding, opinion, software, photocraft, valheim, fable, PCMAG
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/opinions/claude-wont-clone-games-anymore-i-spent-a-weekend-finding-out-what-it-will
- Author: Ruben Circelli
- Published: 2026-11-07T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anthropic, claude, game cloning, reverse engineering, modding, opinion, software, ai, photocraft, valheim, fable, technology
## What Anthropic Changed
Anthropic added two sentences to Opus 5.5 rules: build original games, genre games, and user-designed games. Don't build recreations of specific existing games.

> Do build original games, games in a genre, and games from the user's own designs and assets. Don't build a recreation of a specific existing game, even if it is renamed or called original.
## Modding Still Works
Claude can still decompile Valheim updates and mods to help with game maintenance and achievement tracking.

> I decompiled Valheim's latest update and several mods to figure out how they work, in service of developing new mods, maintaining existing ones I created, and continuing work on an achievement-tracker utility that reads progress directly from decompiled game code.
## Clones Are Blocked
Claude refuses to help copy games or apps even if users don't reuse assets or code.

> Even if you don't plan to reuse any of a game's assets or code, Claude still declines to help, citing copyright issues and service agreement violations.
## ArtCraft's Experience
ArtCraft's Brandon Thomas used Claude to build PhotoCraft, an AI clone of Adobe Photoshop.

> ArtCraft's Brandon Thomas, for example, relied on Claude during the development of PhotoCraft, his AI clone of Adobe Photoshop.
## Workarounds Exist
Users can prompt engineer Claude or use Craft Anything to build game versions without copying.

> Craft Anything lets you see how any website, app or game works, then have AI build your own version, all while still relying on Anthropic's tech.
## OpenAI Still Works
OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model helps decompile and clone games without restrictions.

> In testing, OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model had no problem helping me decompile, reverse engineer, and clone games, including upcoming ones with only demos available.
## Why This Rule Makes Sense
Games are art that should be protected from unfeeling machines, not just software features.

> Video games are art. Maybe the line between artistic work and product is blurrier in video games than in a painting or another creative medium that relies less on technology.
## Most People Won't Notice
Claude's new rule won't affect most modders and reverse engineers.

> For most people, Claude's new rule won't change much. If you're modding games, porting old ones, reverse engineering how a system works, or building your own original project, Claude is still happy to help.
## What Happens Next
Claude's overzealous refusals will likely ease up over time as it learns from user feedback.

> If Anthropic's handling of Fable is any indication, Claude's overzealous refusals will likely ease up over time.
## Key takeaway

Claude 5.5 won't clone existing games but keeps helping with game mods and reverse engineering.