Roblox has revealed that it will be establishing a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decision comes with the backing of several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, all of which have pledged support to help the platform grow locally. Mohamed El Sheikh, Roblox’s general manager for MENA and Türkiye, explained that locating the hub in Riyadh is a clear sign of the company’s enduring commitment to the Kingdom.
He said the headquarters reflects Roblox’s “long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia” and aligns with the nation’s broader digital‑economy goals set out in Vision 2030. By positioning itself at the heart of the country’s burgeoning tech scene, Roblox hopes to tap into local talent, foster partnerships, and contribute to the strategic objectives outlined in the government’s reform agenda. El Sheikh also highlighted that Roblox is building on existing collaborations in Saudi Arabia that span education, creator development, and the wider gaming ecosystem. He noted that the company plans to fund a series of programs designed to nurture homegrown developers, support educational initiatives, and integrate Roblox’s tools into the Kingdom’s broader ambition to become a global gaming hub.
These initiatives are expected to create pathways for Saudi youth to acquire digital skills, produce immersive experiences, and potentially launch successful gaming studios. Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a move that introduced the platform’s development suite and creator support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s chief executive officer, described the alliance as a means of “enabling anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers that have traditionally made game development difficult.” He added that the partnership would help bring the company’s vision for creators to life throughout Saudi Arabia and would dovetail with the Kingdom’s own plans to expand its creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. The collaboration with Savvy Games Group is part of a larger strategy to democratize game creation, allowing aspiring developers to use Roblox’s accessible tools without needing extensive programming expertise.
By simplifying the development pipeline, Roblox hopes to spark a wave of user‑generated content that can be monetized, thereby fueling both individual entrepreneurship and broader economic growth. Roblox’s expansion into Saudi Arabia also dovetails with the country’s ambitious economic diversification plan.
Vision 2030 seeks to reduce reliance on oil revenues by cultivating new sectors such as entertainment, tourism, and technology. Within this framework, the Saudi government has earmarked substantial resources for the video‑game industry, aiming to nurture 250 gaming and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade.
Roblox’s presence is expected to complement these targets by providing a platform for local developers to create, publish, and monetize games that can compete on a global stage. In addition to direct investment in the gaming sector, Roblox intends to contribute to educational initiatives that align with the Kingdom’s goals of upskilling its youth. The company plans to launch training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that teach coding, 3D design, and digital storytelling.
By integrating these curricula into schools and community centers, Roblox aims to equip Saudi students with the competencies needed for the modern digital economy, thereby supporting the broader objective of building a knowledge‑based society. The new Riyadh headquarters will serve as a central hub for these activities, housing teams focused on community outreach, developer relations, and partnership development. It will also act as a liaison point between Roblox’s global operations and local stakeholders, ensuring that the platform’s growth is attuned to cultural sensitivities and regulatory requirements specific to the Saudi market. Overall, Roblox’s decision to establish a regional base in Riyadh underscores the company’s confidence in the MENA market’s potential and its desire to play a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
By leveraging its robust creator tools, extensive community, and commitment to education, Roblox aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem where Saudi creators can thrive, contribute to the global gaming landscape, and help drive the economic diversification goals set out in Vision 2030.