Bethesda's Starfield initially featured planned gore and dismemberment mechanics, but these were ultimately removed due to technical challenges. 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 spacesuits proved overly complex. The intricate details required – from helmet removal to realistic flesh and suit interactions – created significant technical hurdles. Mejillones noted the extensive systems needed to manage these interactions, ultimately leading to a complicated and unwieldy development process, especially considering the character creator's advanced capabilities and the variability in body sizes and suit designs.
While some fans expressed disappointment over the absence of gore and dismemberment, a feature present in Fallout 4, Mejillones argued that such mechanics are more fitting for Fallout's humorous tone. He highlighted the "tongue in cheek" nature of Fallout, suggesting that gore contributes to the game's overall playful atmosphere.
Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has achieved remarkable success, attracting over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive quests and satisfying combat. Post-launch, Bethesda has addressed player concerns, including performance improvements such as a 60fps performance mode, and released the Shattered Space expansion. Previous reports also highlighted unexpected loading issues, particularly in Neon, which have since been addressed through updates.