Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

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

The intricate details of suit interaction, including realistic helmet removal and flesh exposure, created a massive technical challenge. Mejillones described the resulting system as a "big rat's nest," highlighting the difficulties of accounting for variables like suit hoses and customizable body sizes. The advanced character creator further complicated the process.

While some fans expressed disappointment, particularly given Fallout 4's inclusion of such mechanics, Mejillones argued that the gore and dismemberment fit Fallout's "tongue-in-cheek" humor better than Starfield's tone. He noted that it's "part of the fun" within the Fallout universe.

Despite this omission, Starfield's September 2023 launch attracted over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive RPG elements and satisfying combat, acknowledging that despite various challenges, its appeal remains strong.

Recent revelations from another former Bethesda developer highlighted unexpected loading issues, especially in Neon. Bethesda has since addressed performance concerns, enabling 60fps in performance mode, and released the Shattered Space expansion in September.