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 integrating these effects with the game's diverse spacesuits proved overly complex. The intricate details of suit interaction, including helmet removal and realistic flesh depiction beneath, created significant technical challenges. Mejillones described the resulting system as an unwieldy "rat's nest," further complicated by customizable body sizes and suit variations.

While some fans expressed disappointment, particularly given Fallout 4's inclusion of such mechanics, Mejillones argued that the feature aligns better with Fallout's humorous tone. He noted that the gore and dismemberment fit the "tongue in cheek" style of Fallout more effectively than Starfield's setting.

Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has still attracted over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised its expansive quests and combat, highlighting its enduring appeal. Post-launch, Bethesda has addressed criticisms, including optimizing performance for 60fps and releasing the Shattered Space expansion. A separate report from another former developer also highlighted unexpected loading issues, particularly within the city of Neon, which Bethesda has since worked to improve.