Star Trek FPS Altered Its Storyline Post-9/11 Due to Controversial Scene Involving a Shuttle and a Building

Star Trek: Elite Force 2 is an engaging first-person shooter that launched on PC in June 2002. Although it struggled commercially at first, it has since gained a dedicated following, celebrated for its blend of puzzles, action, and dialogue. However, the game’s development took a significant turn due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

In a recent interview, lead scripter and level designer Benson Russell shared insights about how the game’s narrative and opening sequence were altered in response to the attacks. “I remember, we were making Elite Force 2, and 9/11 happened at that time,” Russell recounted. “One of the original scenes was set at Starfleet Academy, where it was supposed to be attacked, featuring a shuttle flying into a building.”

Given that Elite Force 2 was released less than a year after the attacks, much of that content had to be either cut or completely reworked. “Well, that was a no-no for understandable reasons, of course,” Russell noted.

Despite these changes, Elite Force 2 has become a beloved title among Star Trek fans, still fondly remembered today. It’s a fantastic FPS powered by id Tech 3 that any enthusiast of that era of Star Trek should experience, especially for its charming low-poly moments featuring Picard, voiced by none other than Patrick Stewart.

Interestingly, Rockstar Games faced a similar challenge around the same time with its 2001 release, Grand Theft Auto 3. Set in a contemporary New York City-like environment, the studio had to make several adjustments, including redesigning police cars to appear more generic rather than resembling actual NYPD vehicles. Additionally, the cover art for GTA 3 was changed before its U.S. launch due to the events of 9/11, while the European version retained the original design. This revised cover became iconic, establishing a style that has influenced all subsequent GTA covers, including the upcoming GTA 6, which continues to reflect that grid-based aesthetic born from the events of 2001.