Roblox has disclosed that it will establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator‑support program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, covered by Pocket Gamer, notes that the project enjoys backing from several Saudi governmental bodies, 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 regional hub in Riyadh is a clear indicator of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia. He said the move aligns with the Kingdom’s broader digital‑economy goals outlined in Vision 2030, a strategic plan aimed at diversifying the nation’s economic base and fostering innovation.
“Our decision to establish our regional headquarters in Riyadh is a reflection of Roblox's long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our commitment to supporting the Kingdom's digital economy objectives under Vision 2030,” El Sheakh stated. El Sheakh also highlighted existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the wider gaming ecosystem, emphasizing that the new office will serve as a catalyst for further programming and investment.
“Building on our partnerships in Saudi Arabia across education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, we look forward to investing in programming that will support Saudi Arabia's goal to become a global hub for gaming,” he added. The Riyadh office follows an earlier partnership announced earlier this year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a joint venture that aims to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described that partnership as a means to lower the technical barriers that have traditionally prevented many aspiring developers from entering the game‑creation space. “We want to enable anyone, anywhere, to become a creator by reducing the technical hurdles associated with game development,” Baszucki said.
He further noted that the collaboration would help realize Roblox’s broader vision for creators throughout Saudi Arabia and would dovetail with the Kingdom’s own ambitions to nurture a thriving creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. “The partnership will help realise that vision for creators across Saudi Arabia and align with the growth of the Kingdom's creator ecosystem under Vision 2030,” Baszucki explained. Roblox also underscored its belief that investing in high‑quality educational initiatives for Saudi youth will have a lasting impact on the nation’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
“We firmly believe that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will contribute to the Kingdom’s rapidly growing digital economy,” the company said. The establishment of the Riyadh headquarters is part of a larger wave of foreign investment aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include diversifying the economy away from oil dependence and enhancing the country's reputation on the global stage.
Within the gaming sector, the plan envisions the creation of roughly 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of about 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. Beyond the immediate business implications, the new hub is expected to serve as a training ground for local talent, offering workshops, mentorship programs, and access to Roblox’s proprietary development platform. By providing these resources, Roblox hopes to empower Saudi creators to produce content that can reach a worldwide audience, thereby positioning the Kingdom as a notable player in the international gaming landscape. In practical terms, the Riyadh office will house teams focused on community outreach, developer relations, and localized content creation.
These groups will work closely with schools, universities, and vocational institutes to integrate Roblox’s tools into curricula, fostering a pipeline of skilled developers who are familiar with the platform from an early age. Moreover, the partnership with Savvy Games Group will likely facilitate the launch of region‑specific events, competitions, and showcases, giving Saudi developers a stage to demonstrate their work and attract investment.
Such initiatives are expected to stimulate entrepreneurial activity, encouraging startups to spin off from successful projects and contribute to the broader ecosystem. Roblox’s expansion into Saudi Arabia also reflects a broader industry trend of major tech firms seeking footholds in emerging markets with young, digitally native populations. The MENA region, with its high internet penetration and growing appetite for interactive entertainment, presents a fertile ground for platforms that combine social interaction, creativity, and monetization opportunities. By anchoring its operations in Riyadh, Roblox aims to deepen its understanding of local cultural nuances, regulatory environments, and consumer preferences.
This localized approach is intended to ensure that the platform’s offerings are both relevant and compliant with Saudi norms, while still providing the creative freedom that users worldwide have come to expect. In summary, Roblox’s decision to open a regional headquarters in Riyadh marks a significant milestone in its strategy to nurture a vibrant creator community across the Middle East and North Africa. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aspirations, promises substantial investment in gaming and esports infrastructure, and seeks to empower a new generation of Saudi developers through education, mentorship, and access to world‑class development tools. The combined effort of government support, corporate partnership, and community engagement positions the Kingdom to become a notable hub for digital entertainment and innovation in the years ahead.