Does this sound like a rip off of Halo?

In summary, the conversation discusses a futuristic military organization called SPARTAN, which is divided into 10 units and utilizes advanced technology and augmented soldiers. The conversation also mentions possible similarities to the popular video game series, Halo, but acknowledges that similar themes have been used in other stories.
  • #1
MaxDemonNoir
1
0
Does this sound too close to being a rip off of Halo.

By the 23rd Century, a special component spread out over the Naval Defense Force, Ground Defense Forces, and United Space Force is SPARTAN or SPecial Assault opeRations TeAms Network. SPARTAN is broken up into 10 Units, the GDF has 5, the USF has 3, and the NDF has 2 ranging in name from Alpha to Theta.

They are a highly elite spec ops organization trained for the most harrowing and most secretive operations and missions.

The members within each unit or the officers most important outside engineers, scientists, and others are known as the SPARTAN Rangers. They are augmented to be super soldiers, and use Daedalus Class AMP Suits (Assisted Mobility Platform), making them a good 6 feet higher.

That's largely where similarities end. I just feel within a futuristic setting, something like this would inevitably happen, some military will have some unit named Spartan or Spartans and they are bound to be better then the average human after the famous ancient warriors. Armor would also have to advanced to a greater form
 
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  • #2
MaxDemonNoir said:
Does this sound too close to being a rip off of Halo.
A bit. But there's been many similar super-solider stories (I've written a few myself) so it's up to you to decide if your world building is overstepping the Halo copyright.

MaxDemonNoir said:
SPARTAN or SPecial Assault opeRations TeAms Network
The acronym seems contrived, why not just call them Spartans in homage to the original? Or is that acronym to avoid an obvious Halo reference?

MaxDemonNoir said:
Daedalus Class AMP Suits (Assisted Mobility Platform), making them a good 6 feet higher
There was a 'Daedalus Class' spaceship in Star Gate, so you're good there, but Gravity Industries has built a Jet Suit with the code name, Daedalus! That's real life, though, and novels usually have a deliberate carve out for not portraying actuality. But the AMP acronym and concept is in Avatar, for what that's worth.

The heart of your question is 'how close' but unless you're obviously / intentionally ripping off Halo, adopting similar themes in a novel is hardly newsworthy.
 
  • #3
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No, I don't think this sounds too close to being a rip off of Halo. While there are some similarities, such as the use of the name "Spartan" and the futuristic setting, the concept of a highly elite spec ops organization is not unique to Halo. Many other works of fiction, both in books and movies, have similar organizations. Additionally, the use of advanced armor and augmentation is a common trope in science fiction. As long as the story and characters are unique and well-developed, I don't see any issue with the similarities in this concept.
 

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