OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 upgrade to ChatGPT and Codex appears to be going smoothly, especially compared to the rockier GPT-5.0 release last August.

It turns out OpenAI got ahead of one issue that was brewing before the release of GPT-5.5 models: a goblin fixation.

GPT-5.5 is specifically instructed not to obsess over goblins, gremlins, and other mythical creatures

The company solved its goblin problem before it really materialized for customers by specifically instructing GPT-5.5 to lay off the mythical creature metaphors.

“Starting with GPT‑5.1, our models began developing a strange habit: they increasingly mentioned goblins, gremlins, and other creatures in their metaphors,” OpenAI explains.

“A single “little goblin” in an answer could be harmless, even charming.…