QuakeCon 2010 wasn't just about assembling developers from some of the many companies in the Zenimax stable, as the "Building Blockbusters" panel would attest. In attendance were (pictured above from left to right), Todd Howard from Bethesda Game Studios, Tim Willits from id Software, and Jason West and Vince Zampella, both from Respawn Entertainment. Which is, of course, most notably not a Zenimax property. You might have heard of them recently, unless you've been in another solar system. Our own Adam Sessler moderated the panel, and we've got some details for you.

We've got the full audio of the panel for you below, and we'll have video soon as well. But tune in to this for some really thought-provoking discussions about game development. You'll hear tantalizing tidbits like:

• How Todd Howard used to have to dupe floppy discs for shipping. 
• How Tim Willits used to fantasize about working at id after playing the original Doom.
• How Respawn started with just a bunch of guys sitting around a whiteboard.
• Why getting rid of things in the development process is like killing babies. One of Todd Howard's babies was ... ladders. That's why there are no ladders in Fallout 3.
• Why audience feedback is "Why we're making games," according to Jason West.
• Todd Howard took it further by saying, "We're making the game that we would stand out in the rain at midnight to buy."
• How Rage sets up an entire universe ... and a sequel?
• How Vince Zampella was awed by his horse getting run over by the train in Red Dead Redemption.
• Plus, plenty of insight into game journalism (and development), and a some well-placed Zingers, courtesy of our own Adam Sessler.

Listen to the full audio from the "Building Blockbusters" QuakeCon 2010 panel here: Right-click and Save