Bethesda had initially intended to include gore and dismemberment mechanics in Starfield, but these features were ultimately removed due to technical challenges. Dennis Mejillones, a former character artist who worked on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, explained to Kiwi Talkz that the complexity of interactions with space suits led to the decision to cut the feature.

"The technical implications of handling different suits were overwhelming," Mejillones said. "There were numerous aspects to consider, such as cutting the helmet in a specific way to allow it to come off, and ensuring the flesh beneath was accurately represented. We developed systems for all these elements, but it became a complex mess. With the addition of various hoses on the helmets and the ability to significantly change body sizes through the evolved character creator, it just became too complicated."

Some fans expressed disappointment that Starfield, Bethesda's first full single-player role-playing game in eight years, did not include the gore and dismemberment mechanics seen in Fallout 4. However, Mejillones noted that such mechanics fit better with Fallout's "tongue in cheek" humor, adding to the game's fun.

Starfield was released in September 2023 and has since attracted over 15 million players. IGN's 7/10 review praised the game's expansive role-playing quests and solid combat, noting that despite various challenges, Starfield's appeal remains strong.

Recently, another former Bethesda developer expressed surprise at the extensive loading times in Starfield, especially in the city of Neon. Since its launch, Bethesda has been actively improving the game, introducing a performance mode that allows for 60fps gameplay. The expansion, Shattered Space, was released in September, further enhancing the Starfield experience.