It was specified in the information sheet sent to freelance writers that Deep Space Nine was not accepting stories involving malfunctioning holodecks. Producer Ira Steven Behr explained that the show had been looking for a unique holodeck story that would be specifically for Deep Space Nine rather than Sherlock Holmes and Dixon Hill detective stories seen in The Next Generation.
The information sheet indicated that freelance writers were not to submit stories with malfunctioning holodecks for Deep Space Nine. Producer Ira Steven Behr elaborated that the show was looking for a unique holodeck story exclusive to Deep Space Nine, unlike the Sherlock Holmes and Dixon Hill detective series featured in The Next Generation.