What is "space opera"

n. (context initially derogatory English) A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes space travel, romantic adventure, and larger-than-life characters often set against vast exotic settings.

Space opera is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction which is or is purported to be melodramatic and stilted in a way particularly reminiscent of old-time radio and television soap operas.

Space Opera may also refer to:

Space Opera is a science-fiction role-playing game created by Edward E. Simbalist, A. Mark Ratner, and Phil McGregor in 1980 for Fantasy Games Unlimited. While the system is applicable to the whole genre of science fiction, Space Opera had a default setting intended to be used as generic science fiction role-playing game rules, the focus being on creating space opera themed adventures.

Space Opera resolved to give gamers a system and universe which they could mold into any popular science fiction milieu, be it Star Wars, E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman, Larry Niven's Known Space, Frank Herbert's " Dune", Battlestar Galactica, Galactica 1980, etc.

Space Opera also resolved to be a "complete" system. With the basic rules one got most everything one would need: in-depth character construction, sci-fi toys/equipment, aliens and robots, monsters, combat, planet and society creation, starship construction and combat.

Part of the volume one introduction by Fantasy Games Unlimited owner Scott Bizar describes this undertaking:

Space Opera is a novel by the American science fiction author Jack Vance, first published in 1965 (New York: Pyramid Books).

Space Opera is a 1974 anthology of classic science fiction short stories edited by Brian Aldiss.

Space Opera is a 1996 anthology of science fiction short stories and novelettes edited by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Scarborough.

Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, as well as chivalric romance, and often risk-taking. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it usually involves conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, futuristic weapons, and other sophisticated technology. The term has no relation to music, but is instead a play on the terms " soap opera" and " horse opera", the latter of which was coined during the heyday of silent movies to indicate clichéd and formulaic Western movies. Space operas emerged in the 1930s and they continue to be produced in literature, film, comics, and video games.

Notable space opera novels include the Foundation series (1942–99) by Isaac Asimov et al. and the Ender's Game series (1985–present) by Orson Scott Card. An early notable space opera film was Flash Gordon (1936–present) created by Alex Raymond. In the late 1970s, the Star Wars franchise (1977–present) created by George Lucas brought a great deal of attention to the genre.