Why Bethesda Cut Gore and Dismemberment From Starfield

Bethesda initially envisioned a more visceral experience for Starfield, incorporating gore and dismemberment mechanics. However, technical limitations forced the studio to cut these features. Former character artist Dennis Mejillones, who worked on Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of integrating these mechanics with the game's space suits proved insurmountable. The intricate design of the suits, including helmets and various attachments, created a significant technical challenge. Managing the interactions between dismemberment, suit integrity, and the character creator's evolving capabilities resulted in an overly complex system.

Mejillones noted that while some fans missed the gore and dismemberment present in Fallout 4, these mechanics fit better within Fallout's "tongue-in-cheek" humor. He suggested that the feature's inclusion in Starfield would have been less appropriate.

Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first full single-player RPG in eight years, launched to considerable success, attracting over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review highlighted the game's expansive role-playing quests and respectable combat as key strengths.

Post-launch, Bethesda has addressed player feedback, including performance improvements such as a 60fps performance mode and the release of the Shattered Space expansion. Previous reports also highlighted unexpected loading screen issues, particularly in Neon, which have also been addressed through post-launch updates.