Bethesda Softworks character artist Dennis Mejillones has explained why the depiction of heavy gore was cut from its action role-playing game, Starfield.
During a recent interview on the KIWI TALKZ YouTube channel, Starfield character artist Dennis Mejillones addressed a question from a fan regarding the absence of gore in the game. This omission, Mejillones explained, was due to a combination of technical constraints and thematic considerations that guided the development process.
Mejillones said that a heavy extent of gore, including things like decapitations and kill animations, went against Starfield’s design choices. He revealed that Bethesda Softworks originally had game systems in place for things like cutting helmets and showing flesh underneath. However, he added that it turned into a big rat’s nest of considerations. The hoses, modular components, and varied body sizes introduced by the character creator further complicated matters. According to him, ensuring the gore mechanics worked seamlessly across these variables would have been a costly and time-intensive endeavor. As a result, the aforementioned game systems had to be cut from the game.
Beyond technical challenges, the decision to cut gore was also influenced by Starfield’s thematic direction. Mejillones contrasted Starfield’s tone with that of Fallout, saying that the latter takes a more stylized approach. As per him, the gore and splatter mess in the latter series is part of the tongue-in-cheek humor of that world. In contrast, he said that Starfield strives for a more grounded, realistic approach, drawing inspiration from franchises like The Expanse and Star Trek. According to the character artist, gore didn’t fit Starfield’s overall theme. He said that the clean, futuristic aesthetic and the game’s emphasis on realism didn’t align with the over-the-top gore seen in other Bethesda titles.
While some fans may have hoped for more visceral elements, Mejillones explained that the omission of gore was a deliberate choice aligned with the game’s identity. “Could we have done more? Yeah, maybe. But this game is more like Star Trek, but a little bit cleaner.”
