Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

Bethesda's Starfield initially planned to feature visceral gore and dismemberment, but technical hurdles forced its removal. Dennis Mejillones, a character artist who contributed to Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that integrating these mechanics with the game's diverse spacesuits proved overly complex.

The intricate design of the suits, including helmets and various attachments, created significant technical challenges. Mejillones described the resulting system as a "big rat's nest," highlighting the numerous factors that needed to be considered, such as realistic helmet removal and flesh-based detailing beneath. The complexity was further amplified by the game's advanced character creator, allowing for significant body size variations.

While some fans expressed disappointment, particularly given Fallout 4's inclusion of such mechanics, Mejillones argued that the stylistic differences between the two games justified the omission. He noted that the "tongue in cheek" humor of Fallout lent itself more naturally to graphic violence than Starfield's setting.

Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has still achieved remarkable success, attracting over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised its expansive quests and satisfying combat.

Recent revelations from another former Bethesda developer highlighted unexpected loading issues, especially within Neon. However, Bethesda has actively addressed post-launch issues, including implementing a 60fps performance mode, and released the "Shattered Space" expansion in September.