Lending more credence to the rumor that Google is zeroing in on social networking, the search engine giant this week purchased social gaming company SocialDeck – its fifth acquisition this month.

"We started this company with the goal of connecting friends through social games on all kinds of exciting new mobile devices," SocialDeck wrote in a note on its Web site. "We've been amazed and humbled by all of the stories and experiences our customers (you!) have shared with us."

The company did not elaborate on how SocialDeck will be incorporated into Google.

SocialDeck was founded in 2008 with a focus on the concept of "anywhere, anytime, anyone" gaming, according to the company's Web site.

SocialDeck has produced several games, including Color Connect, Pet Hero Puzzle, Shake & Spell, and Shake & Spell 3D. All titles are available through iTunes, with Shake & Spell also available for BlackBerry and on Facebook. All the apps are free, though there is a 99-cent version of Shake & Spell 3D available in the App Store as well.

The company also has a social-gaming platform known as Spark, which connects players across social games on iPhone, BlackBerry, and Facebook.

The SocialDeck purchase is the latest in a string of acquisitions for Google. Earlier this week, it purchased Ångströ, a small startup whose work ties together news and social contacts. Earlier this month, the company also acquired online retailer Like.com, virtual currency platform Jambool, and social game and app developer Slide.

In July, rumors emerged that Google would release its own social-networking site, dubbed Google Me, but the company has thus far not made any announcements.