Starfield Doesn’t Have Gore and Dismemberment Due to Technical Constraints

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In simpler terms, the game Starfield lacked some of the graphic violence found in earlier Bethesda games like Fallout 4 due to technical difficulties. During a conversation on the gaming podcast Kiwi Talkz, ex-character artist for Bethesda, Dennis Mejillones, explained why Starfield didn’t include dismemberment in its combat system.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in Bethesda’s titles, which are notorious for their gritty realism. For instance, Skyrim didn’t shy away from some intense dismemberment during combat, especially when I landed that crucial blow on my enemies. Similarly, the Fallout series hasn’t held back on gore and dismemberment either.

Mejillones discusses the challenge of implementing dismemberment in the sci-fi RPG, Starfield, due to the complexities involved with considering the numerous space suits worn by players and characters. The intricacies increased significantly when the development team had to factor in the presence of pipes and tubes that are common features of space suits.

According to Mejillones, there were numerous considerations from a technical standpoint regarding the different suits. It involves intricate details such as cutting the helmet at specific angles for removal, and adding meat caps at the base to mimic the flesh.

He went on to say, “We’ve always had solutions in place, but they became quite complex, like a tangled mess of wires.” Referring to the current setup, he mentioned the need for careful counting due to the numerous hoses attached to the helmets, along with other additions. Alternatively, he pointed out that the character creator has seen significant changes over time.

Clamshell further discusses the reasoning behind excessive violence and dismemberment being fitting for the Fallout series, as it often incorporates dark humor throughout its narrative and gameplay mechanics. Certain games in this franchise even offer players an option to enhance the gory nature of deaths occurring around them.

Initially launched in September 2023, Starfield garnered commercial success but received mixed reviews from critics. While players generally appreciated its combat, they criticized the absence of certain features such as seamless space travel and limited gore during combat, which were otherwise highly praised aspects of the game.

After its debut, Starfield has been consistently updated with various improvements, including bug fixes, adjustments to balance, and additions like DLSS 3 and FSR 3 support. Furthermore, the game expanded with a significant DLC titled Shattered Space, offering terrifying themes, an assortment of new adversaries, and over 50 intriguing locations for players to discover.

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2025-01-15 14:41