Bethesda initially envisioned Starfield with visceral gore and dismemberment, but technical hurdles forced them to cut the feature. Former character artist Dennis Mejillones, who worked on Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of interacting with spacesuits proved insurmountable. He described the intricate technical challenges: precise helmet removal, realistic flesh rendering beneath the suit, and accounting for the various suit designs, hoses, and the evolving character creator. The resulting system became overly complex, a "big rat's nest," according to Mejillones.
While some fans missed the gore and dismemberment present in Fallout 4, Mejillones noted that those mechanics fit better with Fallout's humorous tone. He stated, "It's part of the fun," implying that the darker, more serious tone of Starfield might not have been as compatible.
Released in September 2023, Starfield has already captivated over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review highlighted the game's expansive RPG elements and satisfying combat, despite various challenges. The game's launch was also marked by significant loading issues, particularly in Neon, as revealed by another former Bethesda developer. Since then, Bethesda has implemented improvements, including a 60fps performance mode, and released the Shattered Space expansion.
