Bethesda initially aimed to incorporate gore and dismemberment mechanics into Starfield, but technical challenges forced the removal of these features. Dennis Mejillones, a veteran character artist who worked on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of interactions with space suits posed significant hurdles.
"There were many technical implications with the various suits," he noted. "Cutting a helmet in a precise way while ensuring it comes off smoothly proved complicated. There were additional factors like flesh remnants and intricate details such as hoses and body adjustments." These elements created a tangled system that proved challenging to manage effectively.
While some fans expressed disappointment over the absence of these mechanics in Starfield, Mejillones argued that they fit better within the tone of Fallout. "These mechanics suit the tongue-in-cheek humor of Fallout more naturally," he stated. "They add to the fun."
Released in September 2023, Starfield quickly surpassed 15 million players. IGN praised its expansive role-playing quests and combat, though the review score stood at 7/10. Recently, another ex-Bethesda developer highlighted the game’s heavy initial load times, especially in Neon City. Post-launch updates have addressed performance issues, enabling 60fps under performance mode. The expansion Shattered Space launched in September, marking ongoing efforts to enhance the game.
