Bethesda Removes Gore and Dismemberment from Starfield

Bethesda had initially intended to incorporate gore and dismemberment mechanics into Starfield, but these plans were ultimately abandoned due to technical challenges. Dennis Mejillones, a former character artist who worked on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of integrating these mechanics with space suits was the primary reason for their removal.

"The interaction with the different suits presented numerous technical challenges," Mejillones stated. "There are many elements to consider, such as cutting the helmet in a specific way and ensuring it separates correctly, alongside managing the flesh underneath. It became a complex technical puzzle."

He elaborated that the systems designed to handle these mechanics became overly complicated. "With all the additional features like hoses on helmets and the ability to significantly alter body sizes through the evolved character creator, it turned into a big rat's nest," he added.

Some fans expressed disappointment that Starfield, Bethesda's first full single-player RPG in eight years, did not include the gore and dismemberment features seen in Fallout 4. Mejillones noted that these mechanics fit better within the "tongue-in-cheek" humor of Fallout, adding, "It's part of the fun."

Starfield was released in September 2023 and has since attracted over 15 million players. IGN's review praised the game, stating, "Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist," awarding it a 7/10.

Recently, another former Bethesda developer expressed surprise at the extensive loading times in Starfield, particularly in the city of Neon. Since its launch, Bethesda has made efforts to enhance the game, introducing a 60fps performance mode and releasing the Shattered Space expansion in September.