Starfield: Bethesda Explains Gore Cuts

Bethesda initially envisioned a more visceral experience for Starfield, intending to incorporate 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 interacting with space suits proved insurmountable. The intricate designs of the suits, with their various hoses and attachments, coupled with the ability to significantly alter character body size, created a massive technical challenge. Developing systems to manage dismemberment within this context became overly complex.

While some fans expressed disappointment at the absence of gore and dismemberment, a feature present in Fallout 4, Mejillones argued that such mechanics fit better within the "tongue-in-cheek" humor of the Fallout universe. He suggested that the tone of Starfield didn't lend itself as well to this level of graphic detail.

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 noted that while the game faced various challenges, its expansive quests and satisfying combat ultimately proved compelling.

Post-launch, Bethesda has addressed player feedback, including improvements to performance, such as enabling 60fps in performance mode. The Shattered Space expansion also launched in September, adding further content to the game. A separate report from another former Bethesda developer highlighted unexpected loading issues, particularly noticeable in Neon, further illustrating the challenges of developing a game of Starfield's scale.