Bethesda's Starfield initially included plans for visceral gore and dismemberment effects, but these were ultimately scrapped due to unforeseen technical complexities. Dennis Mejillones, a former character artist who contributed to Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that integrating these mechanics with the game's diverse spacesuit designs proved too challenging.
The intricate details of suit interaction, including realistic helmet removal and flesh-based effects, created a massive technical hurdle. Mejillones described the resulting system as a "big rat's nest," highlighting the difficulties in accounting for variable suit designs, hoses, and the game's evolved character creator, which allowed for significant body size variations.
While some fans expressed disappointment over the absence of gore and dismemberment—features present in Fallout 4—Mejillones argued that these mechanics fit Fallout's more lighthearted, "tongue-in-cheek" tone better than Starfield's setting. He noted that the humorous nature of Fallout enhanced the impact of such features.
Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has still attracted over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised its expansive quests and combat, acknowledging that these strengths ultimately outweigh its shortcomings.
Recent revelations from another former Bethesda developer highlighted unexpected loading issues, particularly in Neon. Since launch, Bethesda has addressed several performance concerns, including the addition of a 60fps performance mode, and released the Shattered Space expansion in September.
