Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the purpose of strengthening its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights a collaborative effort that involves several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation. These partners will help facilitate the establishment of the office and ensure that Roblox’s initiatives align with the Kingdom’s broader digital‑economy ambitions. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA and Turkey markets, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is more than a simple geographic choice.
He said, "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." By positioning the headquarters in the heart of the country’s capital, Roblox aims to embed itself within the local ecosystem of education, talent development, and gaming infrastructure. El Sheakh added that the company will build on existing collaborations with Saudi partners across three key pillars: education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem. He emphasized that Roblox plans to fund and launch a series of programs designed to nurture home‑grown talent, provide training resources for aspiring developers, and create pathways for Saudi creators to reach global audiences.
"We look forward to investing in programming that will support Saudi Arabia's goal to become a global hub for gaming," he said, underscoring the strategic alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in digital innovation. The Riyadh headquarters follows an earlier partnership announced earlier in the year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based entity focused on developing the local gaming sector.
That agreement introduced Roblox’s suite of development tools and provided dedicated support for regional developers, aiming to lower the technical barriers that have traditionally limited entry into game creation. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the collaboration as a way to "enable anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki also noted that the partnership will help bring the company's broader vision for creators to life across Saudi Arabia and will dovetail with the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
He stressed that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis is essential for sustaining the country’s fast‑growing 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," he said.
Roblox’s expanded presence in Saudi Arabia is part of a larger governmental push to diversify the nation’s economic base beyond oil. Vision 2030 outlines ambitious targets for the entertainment and technology sectors, including the creation of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical foothold in Riyadh, Roblox is positioning itself to be a key contributor to these goals, offering both employment opportunities and a platform for local creators to monetize their work. Beyond the immediate economic impact, the new headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and community building.
Roblox plans to host workshops, hackathons, and mentorship programs that bring together seasoned developers, educators, and aspiring creators. These events will focus on topics such as game design fundamentals, user‑generated content monetization, and the integration of educational curricula with interactive experiences. By fostering a vibrant creator community, Roblox hopes to accelerate the development of original, culturally resonant games that can compete on the global stage. The initiative also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural objectives.
The Kingdom has been investing heavily in arts, media, and entertainment as part of its soft‑power strategy, and gaming is increasingly recognized as a medium that can both reflect and shape cultural narratives. Roblox’s platform, which allows users to build immersive worlds and share them with a worldwide audience, offers Saudi creators a unique avenue to showcase local stories, traditions, and innovations. In practical terms, the Riyadh office will house a mix of regional leadership, product managers, community liaisons, and support staff who will work closely with local partners.
The team will be responsible for tailoring Roblox’s global product roadmap to meet the specific needs of MENA users, ensuring that language support, payment solutions, and regulatory compliance are all adapted for the region. Additionally, the office will coordinate with Saudi educational institutions to integrate Roblox’s creation tools into school curricula, promoting computational thinking and digital literacy from an early age.
Overall, Roblox’s decision to open a headquarters in Riyadh signals a deepening commitment to the Middle East and North Africa market. By aligning its growth strategy with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the company aims to contribute to the Kingdom’s diversification goals, create meaningful employment, and empower a new generation of creators to build, share, and profit from their digital creations. The long‑term outlook suggests that the partnership will not only boost Roblox’s user base in the region but also help position Saudi Arabia as a thriving hub for gaming innovation and entrepreneurship.