Warped (Star Trek)

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Warped is a Star Trek Deep Space Nine novel. Written by K. W. Jeter and published in 1995 by Pocket Books.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Warped was highly controversial at the time it was published, being dark in tone and showing darker aspects of the DS9 characters. The controversy has faded over time, especially as Deep Space Nine itself became much darker in tone than previous Star Trek franchise series.

Sabotage of the Holosuites used by DS9 residents for recreation leads to a series of psychotic murders. The murders are triggered by psychological manipulation of people by the characters they interact with and events they experience in normally harmless Holosuite programs. This manipulation leads to disinhibition, psychosis and violent acting out in the real world.

A central part of the controversy is that young (14 years old at the time of these events) Jake Sisko is one of those psychologically harmed by the malicious modifications to the characters and scenarios in Holosuite programs they use.

The plot echoes fears about violence in media (especially interactive media)) and its impact on vulnerable minds.