OpenAI employee takes down ChatGPT-coded RuneScape clone following Jagex cease-and-desist
An OpenAI employee has taken down a browser-based RuneScape clone called Elderwood following a cease-and-desist notice from Jagex, the developer behind RuneScape. Rohan Varma, a developer on OpenAI’s Codex project—a coding-focused AI tool—used the technology to build Elderwood, demonstrating an application of AI in rapid game prototyping.
Screenshots shared by Varma before the takedown revealed that Elderwood featured graphics and UI nearly identical to Old School RuneScape (OSRS). The clone replicated iconic location names from the game, including Lumbridge, and Varma had explicitly described the project as an OSRS clone in social media posts.
The removal of Elderwood follows both negative reception from the RuneScape community and formal legal action by Jagex. While Varma did not release gameplay footage, the available screenshots drew immediate copyright concerns. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between fan-created content and intellectual property protection in gaming, particularly as AI tools increasingly enable developers to rapidly prototype games inspired by existing franchises.
This case raises broader questions about the responsibilities of AI tool providers and developers when their systems are used to generate derivative works that infringe on established intellectual property. Jagex’s swift legal action reflects the gaming industry’s consistent approach to protecting franchises, even when targeting small-scale fan projects powered by generative AI technology.