Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

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

The intricate details of suit interaction, including helmet removal and realistic flesh rendering beneath, created significant technical challenges. Mejillones described the resulting system as overly complex, citing the need to account for various suit designs, hoses, and the game's evolved character creator with its expanded body size options.

While some fans expressed disappointment at the absence of gore and dismemberment—features present in Fallout 4—Mejillones argued that such mechanics fit better within Fallout's humorous tone. He noted that the gore in Fallout contributes to the game's overall playful aesthetic.

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 highlighted the game's expansive quests and satisfying combat as key strengths, outweighing some of its shortcomings.

Recent comments from another former Bethesda developer shed light on the game's launch performance issues, particularly in Neon. Bethesda has since implemented improvements, including a 60fps performance mode, and released the Shattered Space expansion in September.