Claude Code will build your 'like Tetris but…' game again: 2.1.317 loosens last week's game rule
Last week Anthropic added a short rule to Claude Code's Opus 5.5 prompt to steer it away from recreating specific existing games, and it started refusing projects that only mentioned a game to explain the mechanics. Addy Osmani, who works on Claude Code, says version 2.1.317 updates that rule. You can now name a game to describe what you want, and Claude should build an original game in that genre. If you ask for a straight copy of an existing game, it offers to build something similar instead.
Why it matters
'A roguelike like Hades' or 'a match-3 with Tetris-style falling pieces' is how most people describe a game idea. Last week's rule blocked a lot of honest prototypes, and this fix makes Claude Code usable for game jams again while still saying no to clones.
Who it's for
Indie game devs, game-jam teams, students and hobbyists building games with Claude Code.
How to try it
- Update Claude Code (claude update) and check that claude --version shows 2.1.317 or later.
- Describe your game by its mechanics and feel, and name games only as references, for example 'a co-op cooking game in the spirit of Overcooked, with my own theme and art'.
- Bring your own names, art and story so the result is clearly yours.
- If Claude turns down something that's your own design, Addy Osmani asked people to tell him on X.
Plan & availability: In Claude Code 2.1.317 and later, on plans that include Claude Code. Straight copies of a specific existing game are still turned down, with an offer to build something similar.
Source: @addyosmani on X ↗
Written by AgentStackList from the original post. Checked Nov 4, 2026. Features, plans and availability can change, so confirm on the source before you rely on it.
claude-codegame-devopus-5-5update
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