Ex-Starfield Artist Explains Graphic Violence Removal

Summary

• Starfield's lack of graphic violence was an intentional choice largely due to technical issues.
• It also wouldn't fit Starfield's tone, said Dennis Mejillones, a character artist who worked at Bethesda on Starfield and Fallout 4.

Starfield was originally envisioned to include more violent elements, but Bethesda chose to dial back the gore. Known for their first-person shooters with high levels of violence, Bethesda opted for a different approach with Starfield, their latest sci-fi adventure. The decision to limit graphic violence was deliberate, despite initial plans to the contrary.

Violence remains a key component of Starfield, with gunplay and melee combat playing central roles. Many players have praised the combat system, noting it as a significant improvement over Fallout 4, with refined shooting and melee mechanics. However, the studio decided to tone down the more graphic aspects of violence.

Dennis Mejillones, a character artist who contributed to both Starfield and Fallout 4, shared insights on the game's violence in an interview with the Kiwi Talkz podcast on YouTube. He revealed that early designs included decapitations and other detailed kill animations, but technical challenges hindered their implementation. The vast array of suits and helmets in Starfield made animating such violent scenes difficult, risking unrealistic or buggy visuals. Given the game's persistent technical issues, even after multiple updates, this decision seems justified.

Starfield Cut Decapitations for Technical and Tonal Reasons

The decision to cut graphic violence was not solely based on technical limitations. Mejillones highlighted that the humor-infused gore of Fallout did not align with Starfield's intended tone. While Starfield occasionally nods to Bethesda's more light-hearted and violent games — such as recent Doom-inspired content — it aims for a more subdued and realistic sci-fi experience. Over-the-top executions could have disrupted the game's immersion.

Feedback from fans has highlighted a desire for greater realism in Starfield. Some have criticized the game's nightclubs as feeling tame and unconvincing, especially when compared to other gritty sci-fi titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Mass Effect. Introducing more graphic violence might have further detracted from the game's grounded feel. Ultimately, Bethesda's choice to reduce the gore, while breaking from tradition, appears to have been the right move for maintaining Starfield's unique atmosphere.