Despite what everyone's saying about Sony Computer Entertainment's Mark DeLoura, he's not actually Google's first 'games boss'.

Ex-head of SCEA and then Sega America Bernie Stolar was Google's Game Evangelist for a couple of years between 2007 - 2009.

Anyhow, Mark DeLoura, who knew everyone who was anyone as manager of developer relations at SCEA, before working at Ubisoft and Zoo Games, plus organisations such as IGDA and OneBigGame, has been confirmed as Google's Developer Advocate.

Call off the search

In this role, he'll act a conduit between the technology company - which is pushing its Android platform for smartphones and other portable devices - and the wider games development community.

"I personally feel the fact that Google hiring someone specifically to focus on games is a signal it recognises the growing importance of games as a medium," DeLoura told Gamasutra.

"In this time of great disruption in the game industry, there are a huge number of opportunities for developers. It can be difficult for traditional games companies to navigate the new possibilities provided by mobile platforms, social networks, and alternative business models.

"I'm looking forward to working with both traditional games companies and new game developers to talk about how Google can help, and the platforms and projects Google is working on."

[source: Gamasutra]