The large talent pool in the Madison area is not limited to healthcare IT, but also video game developers and creative talent, according to a panel discussion held Tuesday at the WIN luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel.

“It was important to me to have a (large) video games development community,” Tim Gerritsen, director of business development at Human Head Studios, said in explaining his move from Boston to Madison. “Talent breeds talent, and people want to be around other thinkers.”

Forrest Woolworth, COO of PerBlue, echoed the sentiment.

“It really helps to have other gaming companies located here,” Woolworth said. “It puts (Madison) on the map, and it helps with recruiting.”

Woolworth explained that although PerBlue hires many people with University of Wisconsin ties, the company recently hired staff from the west coast who were “excited to come to Madison.”

Lee Wilson understands, as he moved from Texas to Wisconsin to become CEO of Filament Games.

“There’s lots of (programming) talent in Madison as well creative talent,” Wilson said. “We have a strong (development) community.”