Bethesda Removes Gore and Dismemberment from Starfield

Bethesda had initially planned to incorporate gore and dismemberment mechanics into Starfield, but these were ultimately removed 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 the game's space suits was the primary reason for their exclusion.

"The technical implications of dealing with the various suits were overwhelming," Mejillones stated. "You need to consider how to cut the helmet, manage the separation, and handle the flesh underneath. It became a tangled mess with all the additional elements like hoses on the helmets and the ability to significantly alter body sizes through the character creator."

Some fans expressed disappointment over the absence of gore and dismemberment in Starfield, features that were present in Fallout 4. However, Mejillones pointed out that these mechanics align better with Fallout's "tongue-in-cheek" humor, enhancing the game's fun factor.

Starfield, Bethesda's first full single-player RPG in eight years, launched in September 2023 and has since attracted over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive role-playing quests and solid combat, noting that despite various challenges, Starfield's appeal is hard to ignore.

Recently, another former Bethesda developer expressed surprise at the extensive loading times in Starfield, especially in the city of Neon. Since its release, Bethesda has been actively improving the game, introducing a 60fps performance mode and releasing the Shattered Space expansion in September.