Was Elite Dangerous in part inspired by Legend of the Galactic Heroes?

[FNLWA]

Currently re-watching "Legend of the Galactic Heroes". For those who are not familiar: It's a series of japanese space opera novels with an OVA adaption that ran from 1982–1998.

The story is progressive and rather complex but the basic setup is this: A stagnating and largely corrupt democracy called "The Free Planets Alliance" that is more interested in preserving its own existence rather than protecting their fundamental values. A prospering monarchy called the "Galactic Empire".

This very much resembles the Federation <-> Empire setup in ED. There's other little things like ship design. Compare this Galactic Empire ship from LOTGH to the Imperial Cutter from ED: https://i.imgur.com/Z46NOIH.jpg

Now I'm not saying ED is based on LOTGH in any way but I'm honestly curious if at least some inspiration was drawn from it. If anyone knows anything I'd be very interested. This seemed like the right place to ask.

 

[Sentenza]

United Federation of Planets vs. Klingon Empire, 1966

It's just standard Cold War stuff. USA<->URSS<->Non-aligned = Federation<->Empire<->Alliance

 

[Warm Considering]

Currently re-watching "Legend of the Galactic Heroes". For those who are not familiar: It's a series of japanese space opera novels with an OVA adaption that ran from 1982–1998.

The story is progressive and rather complex but the basic setup is this: A stagnating and largely corrupt democracy called "The Free Planets Alliance" that is more interested in preserving its own existence rather than protecting their fundamental values. A prospering monarchy called the "Galactic Empire".

This very much resembles the Federation <-> Empire setup in ED. There's other little things like ship design. Compare this Galactic Empire ship from LOTGH to the Imperial Cutter from ED: https://i.imgur.com/Z46NOIH.jpg

Now I'm not saying ED is based on LOTGH in any way but I'm honestly curious if at least some inspiration was drawn from it. If anyone knows anything I'd be very interested. This seemed like the right place to ask.

It's as possible as anything, but that kind of power dynamic is very common trope in science fiction, just read Isaac Asimov's Foundation.

I do take issue with your characterization of the Federation, though.

 

[Sapyx]

A "Federation" centred on Earth. An "Empire" that opposes the Federation. Spaceships with nacelles perched at the end of wings. I rather think the ED universe owes much to the Star Trek universe. The Klingon's Vor'cha class battlecruiser, painted white, would look right at home in the ED-Imperial arsenal.

The basic structure of the ED universe, including the Federation, Empire and the whole Imperial-ships-have-nacelles thing, was laid out for the first sequel game, Frontier: Elite II, which was launched back in 1993. I cannot be certain, but I'm sure very few people in Britain in the late 1980s and early 1990s would have heard of the anime in question.

 

[Sentenza]

It's as possible as anything, but that kind of power dynamic is very common trope in science fiction, just read Isaac Asimov's Foundation.

I do take issue with your characterization of the Federation, though.

The Foundation universe is modeled on the fall of the Roman Empire. And though Asimov said nothing about it, the Foundation itself clearly plays the role of the Catholic Church.

 

[Dieson]

United Federation of Planets vs. Klingon Empire, 1966

It's just standard Cold War stuff. USA<->URSS<->Non-aligned = Federation<->Empire<->Alliance

I agree this is a common trope in modern times but also ancient times as well. It seems "Cold War" kind of stories are always popular when their are two rival super powers in the world. One of many human universal archetypes.