Bethesda Removes Gore and Dismemberment from Starfield

Bethesda had ambitious plans for Starfield, aiming to include gore and dismemberment mechanics similar to those seen in Fallout 4. However, technical challenges led to the removal of these features, as explained by former Bethesda character artist Dennis Mejillones in an interview with Kiwi Talkz. Mejillones, who worked on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, highlighted the complexity of integrating these mechanics with the game's space suits.

"The interaction with the different suits posed significant technical issues," Mejillones stated. "It's not just about cutting the helmet; you also have to manage how the flesh reacts and ensure everything looks right. We developed systems for all this, but it became a complex problem to solve, especially with the detailed hoses on the helmets and the ability to significantly change body sizes through the character creator."

While some fans were disappointed with the absence of these mechanics in Starfield—Bethesda's first full single-player RPG in eight years—Mejillones noted that such features fit better within the "tongue in cheek" humor of the Fallout series. "It's part of the fun," he remarked.

Starfield launched in September 2023 and has since attracted over 15 million players. IGN's review praised the game's expansive role-playing quests and solid combat, awarding it a 7/10 and noting that despite various challenges, the game's allure is hard to resist.

In recent developments, another former Bethesda developer expressed surprise at the extensive loading times in Starfield, particularly in the city of Neon. Since its release, Bethesda has made efforts to enhance the game, including the introduction of a 60fps performance mode. The expansion, Shattered Space, was released in September, further enriching the Starfield experience.