Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

Bethesda's Starfield initially planned to feature graphic gore and dismemberment, but technical hurdles forced the team to cut the feature. Former character artist Dennis Mejillones, who worked on Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that integrating these mechanics with the game's diverse space suits proved overly complex.

The intricate designs of the suits, including helmets and various attachments, created significant technical challenges. Mejillones described the resulting system as a "big rat's nest," highlighting the difficulty in managing realistic dismemberment while accounting for the variable suit configurations and character customization options. The advanced character creator further complicated the implementation.

While some fans expressed disappointment over the absence of gore and dismemberment, a feature present in Fallout 4, Mejillones argued that the mechanics fit better within Fallout's humorous tone. He stated that the gore was "part of the fun" in Fallout, contrasting with the overall aesthetic of Starfield.

Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has still garnered significant success, attracting over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive quests and combat.

Recent reports from other former Bethesda developers have highlighted other challenges during development, including extensive loading times, particularly noticeable in Neon. Bethesda has since addressed some of these issues, adding a 60fps performance mode and releasing the Shattered Space expansion.