A report issued by the Washington Interactive Network portrays Seattle as one of the top three areas in the country for game development.

The firm’s Interactive Media Competiveness Study began by analyzing a dozen of the top U.S. locales for game development: Seattle, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and San Jose.

Additionally, six indicators of competiveness were used: number of firms, computer and engineering talent, multimedia and animation talent, educational institutions, cost of living and the cost of doing business.

While noting that “there’s no stand alone leader” across all categories when it comes to crowning the best U.S. city for game development, the report labels Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose as the top three overall, then uses the cost of doing business in California as reason for promoting the Seattle area further to the forefront.

The report cites 2007 data showing the Seattle area with over 150 companies or divisions making games, employing over 15,000 people, with growth of 8.0% from 2003 to 2006.

Washington Interactive Network Business Development Manager Kristina Hudson added:

Today, there is no stand-alone national leader in any particular category of competitiveness - which means this 'title" can still be claimed. If our region is mindful of our incentives and taxes - keeping it fiscally friendly to individuals and businesses - we have a good shot at being THE global center of game development.