Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

Bethesda's Starfield initially featured planned gore and dismemberment mechanics, but these were ultimately removed due to technical challenges. Former Bethesda character artist, Dennis Mejillones, explained to Kiwi Talkz that integrating these effects with the game's diverse spacesuits proved overly complex. The intricate details required – from helmet removal to realistic flesh simulations beneath suits – created significant technical hurdles. Mejillones described the resulting system as an unwieldy "rat's nest," particularly given the variable character sizes and suit designs.

While some fans expressed disappointment, given the presence of similar mechanics in Fallout 4, Mejillones argued that the "tongue-in-cheek" humor of Fallout better suited such features than Starfield's overall tone. He emphasized that the gore and dismemberment elements contributed to Fallout's unique gameplay experience.

Despite this omission, Starfield's September 2023 release attracted over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review highlighted the game's expansive roleplaying and combat as key strengths, outweighing some of its shortcomings. Post-launch, Bethesda addressed performance issues, including significant loading times previously noted in Neon, and introduced a 60fps performance mode. The "Shattered Space" expansion also launched in September.