It goes without saying that Google is one insanely huge and powerful company, Among other things, they have their hands in pretty much every single facet of our digital lives. From how we communicate with each other, to how we consumer both information and entertainment, even how get from one place to another.
From email to social networks, and from navigation to curation, Google has their pulse on everything. Except for video games.
Sure you'll find games in the Android's Google Play store, and even a few titles that work within the Chrome browser, but that's the extent of it. They facilitate gaming, but has yet to be directly involved (with the exception of that alternative reality game that felt more like a one off project than a concert effort to enter the gaming space).
Though, there's a good chance that their interest in games as a whole might grow considerably. The Verge reports that they just hired Noah Falstein. Since April he's been their Chief Game Designer, the first time the company has ever had anyone in such a title. Falstein's resume is quite long and varied; he started out designing for the Atari 2600 and most recently did stuff on the Xbox 360.
No one has any idea what Falstein might be working on, which is hardly a surprise, given that Google is one of the most secretive companies out there. Some believe that, because Android will soon be updated to allow multiplayer gaming, Falstein might help to ensure that works okay. Though there's also the chance that he might be doing something related to Google Glass.
The next Goole I/O, their yearly developer focused conference, is almost here, and there's the chance that Falstein might reveal what he's working on. Or we might not ever a single morsel of detail, ever. Again, that's Google for you.