Starfield's Censorship Controversy: Bethesda Removes Gore

Bethesda's Starfield initially planned to feature visceral gore and dismemberment, but technical hurdles forced the team to scrap the feature. Dennis Mejillones, a character artist 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 design of the suits, with their various components and hoses, created significant technical challenges. Mejillones described the resulting system as a "big rat's nest," highlighting the difficulties in accurately rendering damage to helmets and suits while maintaining realistic flesh and bone interactions. The complexity was further exacerbated by the game's advanced character creator, allowing for significant variations in body size.

While some fans expressed disappointment, particularly given the presence of similar mechanics in Fallout 4, Mejillones argued that the gore and dismemberment fit better within Fallout's satirical tone. He noted that the over-the-top violence contributes to the game's playful atmosphere.

Despite this omission, Starfield, Bethesda's first major single-player RPG in eight years, has still captivated over 15 million players since its September 2023 release. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive quests and engaging combat.

Recent reports from other former Bethesda developers have shed light on other development challenges, including the extensive loading screens, particularly noticeable in Neon. Bethesda has since addressed some of these issues, introducing a 60fps performance mode and releasing the Shattered Space expansion.