- Original Release: 2018
- Developer: Messy Desk
- Publisher: Messy Desk
- Platform: PC
![](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Stage9-box-s.jpg)
![Recommended Trek](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/recommended-trek-193x184.png)
![](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Stage9-007-1024x576.jpg)
Stage 9 was a very ambitious fan project: recreate the Enterprise D in its entirety to explore at your own leisure. The project was shut down by CBS before it was completed, so we only have a selection of areas to explore – although most major areas are covered, including some never seen in the show.
As this is a very early build, the optimisation isn’t great, so it will be sluggish on decent PCs. As it’s just exploring, it’s not an issue. NPCs look a bit freaky, but you can turn them off.
The Enterprise D interiors have been recreated in astounding detail, areas we never got to see – such as the stairs to the Observation lounge – are now something we can look at and inspect. Some consoles also have functionality, you can take control of the ship, play with cargo bay tractor beams and open shuttlebay doors.
![](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Stage9-014-1024x576.jpg)
Speaking of shuttlebays, the most impressive location in this is the Enterprise D’s main shuttlebay, which we never got to see in the show. It’s absolutely colossal, like a full size airport, and you can see why they never had the budget to create a set for it (and CGI was too early when the show was on the air). It really helps to sell the scale of the ship.
Another treat is the holodeck, which has more bridges to explore. There’s the bridge of the Enterprise form The Original Series along with different variants of the Enterprise D bridge from: the Encounter at Farpoint, Yesterday’s Enterprise, All Good Things and Generations, giving you a nice idea of how much they were changed for these episodes.
It is easy to get lost, though, and it seems obvious that a map would have been implemented later in development. You can find some neat extras such as a phaser range and a shuttle you can pilot.
It’s a massive shame that this project was shut down. The developers behind this made an officially approved interactive experience for The Orville where you get to explore the whole ship, and some of them are working on The Roddenberry Archive.
Where to get Stage 9
How to play Stage 9 on Windows 11
Stage 9 works on Windows 11 by default.
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