Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

Bethesda's Starfield initially featured planned gore and dismemberment mechanics, but technical hurdles forced their removal. Dennis Mejillones, a character artist who contributed to Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of integrating these mechanics with the game's spacesuits proved insurmountable.

The technical challenges stemmed from the intricate design of the suits. Mejillones detailed the need for realistic helmet removal, flesh detailing beneath the suit, and the complications arising from various suit configurations, including hoses and adjustable body sizes. The resulting system became overly complex, leading to its abandonment.

While some fans expressed disappointment, given Fallout 4's inclusion of such features, Mejillones argued that the mechanics are more fitting for Fallout's humorous tone. He noted that the gore and dismemberment added to Fallout's "tongue-in-cheek" style, unlike Starfield's more serious setting.

Despite this omission, Starfield's September 2023 launch attracted over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review highlighted the game's compelling RPG elements and combat as its key strengths, outweighing its shortcomings.

Post-launch, Bethesda addressed performance issues, including significant loading times, particularly in Neon, as previously reported by another former developer. Improvements have been implemented, including a 60fps performance mode. The Shattered Space expansion also launched in September.