Roblox has revealed that it will be opening a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to bolster its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, underscores a collaborative effort involving several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear indication of the company’s sustained commitment to the Kingdom and its broader digital‑economy ambitions under the Vision 2030 framework. “Our choice to set up a regional base in Riyadh reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our dedication to supporting the Kingdom’s digital‑economy objectives as outlined in Vision 2030,” El Sheakh said.
He added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in areas such as education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem. “By deepening our partnerships in Saudi Arabia, we aim to fund programs that will help the country achieve its goal of becoming a global gaming hub,” he continued. The Riyadh office follows an earlier strategic alliance with Savvy Games Group, which was announced earlier in the year.
That partnership introduced Roblox’s development tools and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure, giving local talent easier access to the platform’s creation suite. Roblox co‑founder and CEO Dave Baszucki described the collaboration as a means of democratizing game development.
“Our aim is to enable anyone, anywhere, to become a creator by removing the technical barriers that traditionally make game development difficult,” Baszucki said. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to nurture a thriving creator ecosystem.
“This partnership will help realize that vision for creators across Saudi Arabia and will dovetail with the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s creator economy under Vision 2030,” Baszucki noted. Roblox also highlighted its belief that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will have a multiplier effect on the nation’s digital economy.
“We firmly believe that providing world‑class educational experiences for young Saudis will fuel the Kingdom’s fast‑expanding digital sector,” El Sheakh remarked. Vision 2030 is a sweeping reform agenda that aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil‑dependent economy, promote innovation, and elevate the country’s international reputation. Within this context, the gaming sector has been identified as a key growth engine.
The Saudi government has set ambitious targets: by 2030, it hopes to have 250 video‑game and esports companies operating in the Kingdom and to generate roughly 39,000 new jobs in the sector. Roblox’s expanded presence is positioned to help meet these objectives by providing a platform for local developers, educators, and entrepreneurs to create, test, and monetize interactive experiences. Beyond the immediate economic impact, the Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for knowledge transfer.
Roblox plans to host workshops, hackathons, and training programs that will teach Saudi youth the fundamentals of coding, 3D design, and virtual‑world storytelling. These initiatives are intended to cultivate a pipeline of skilled creators who can contribute to both the local market and the global Roblox ecosystem. In addition, the company intends to work closely with Saudi schools and universities to integrate Roblox‑based learning modules into curricula.
By leveraging the platform’s immersive environment, educators can create interactive lessons that make complex subjects—such as mathematics, physics, and language arts—more engaging and accessible. This educational focus aligns with Vision 2030’s emphasis on building a knowledge‑based economy and preparing the workforce for future‑oriented industries.
Roblox’s decision also reflects a broader trend of major tech firms establishing regional bases in the Gulf to tap into the region’s youthful, digitally savvy population. With over 70% of the Saudi population under the age of 30, there is a sizable audience eager for creative outlets and online social experiences. By situating its headquarters in Riyadh, Roblox positions itself to better understand local cultural nuances, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences, thereby tailoring its platform to suit regional tastes. The partnership with Savvy Games Group will further accelerate the rollout of localized content, including Arabic‑language tutorials, region‑specific game templates, and support services that address the unique challenges faced by Saudi developers.
This localized approach is expected to lower entry barriers even further, encouraging more individuals and small studios to experiment with game creation and potentially launch successful titles on a global stage. Overall, Roblox’s Riyadh headquarters represents a strategic investment that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, job creation, and digital innovation.
By providing tools, education, and a supportive ecosystem, Roblox aims to empower a new generation of Saudi creators, foster a vibrant gaming industry, and contribute to the Kingdom’s ambition of becoming a leading hub for interactive entertainment worldwide.