Roblox has unveiled a plan to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at bolstering its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights strong backing from several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, all of which are eager to see the platform’s growth in the Kingdom.
Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh reflects a deep, long‑term commitment to the Saudi market and aligns with the nation’s broader digital‑economy ambitions outlined in Vision 2030. “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,” he said.
El Sheakh added that Roblox intends to build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the wider gaming landscape, and that the new office will serve as a launchpad for programs designed to help Saudi Arabia become a recognized global gaming hub. The Riyadh office follows a strategic partnership announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming conglomerate. That alliance introduced Roblox’s development tools and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure, making it easier for local talent to create, publish, and monetize interactive experiences on the platform.
Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the partnership as a means to “enable anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development.” He emphasized that the collaboration would help bring the platform’s creator‑first vision to Saudi Arabia and dovetail with the Kingdom’s own push to nurture a vibrant creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. Roblox’s expansion is more than a symbolic gesture; it is part of a larger investment strategy targeting the digital economy. Vision 2030 aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil‑dependent revenue streams by fostering sectors such as entertainment, technology, and esports. The government has set ambitious targets, including the establishment of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the creation of roughly 39,000 jobs in the gaming sector by the end of the decade.
By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox hopes to contribute directly to these goals, offering training programs, mentorship, and resources that can help local developers bring their ideas to life. In practical terms, the new headquarters will house a team of regional experts tasked with supporting creators, educators, and partners throughout the MENA region.
The office will coordinate initiatives ranging from school‑based coding workshops to large‑scale developer conferences, all designed to lower entry barriers and promote digital literacy. Roblox also plans to launch localized content pipelines, ensuring that culturally relevant experiences can be built and shared by Saudi creators for both regional and global audiences. Education is a cornerstone of Roblox’s strategy. The platform’s existing educational suite, which includes curriculum‑aligned lessons on game design, coding, and entrepreneurship, will be expanded to meet Saudi standards and language requirements.
By integrating these tools into schools and community centers, Roblox aims to nurture a pipeline of skilled creators who can eventually transition into professional roles within the Kingdom’s burgeoning gaming and esports sectors. Beyond education, Roblox is looking to stimulate the broader creative economy. The company intends to host hackathons, creator‑bootcamps, and mentorship programs that connect aspiring developers with seasoned industry veterans. These events will not only provide technical guidance but also offer insights into monetization, community building, and intellectual property management—critical knowledge areas for sustainable success in the digital marketplace.
The partnership with Savvy Games Group also opens doors for cross‑border collaborations. By linking Roblox’s global network of developers with Saudi studios and talent, the initiative can foster a two‑way exchange of ideas, technology, and cultural narratives. This synergy is expected to enrich the platform’s content library with uniquely Middle‑Eastern stories while giving Saudi creators access to a worldwide audience. Roblox’s commitment to the Kingdom extends to its corporate social responsibility agenda.
The company has pledged to invest in high‑quality, educational opportunities for Saudi youth, believing that a well‑educated generation will be a catalyst for the rapid expansion of the digital economy. This aligns with the broader Vision 2030 objective of building a knowledge‑based society where innovation drives growth. Overall, the establishment of a Riyadh headquarters signals Roblox’s confidence in the potential of the MENA region, particularly Saudi Arabia, as a future epicenter for interactive entertainment and creator‑driven content. By providing the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to empower local talent, Roblox aims to help the Kingdom achieve its ambitious Vision 2030 milestones, diversify its economy, and enhance its reputation on the global stage.
The initiative promises to create thousands of jobs, foster a vibrant ecosystem of games and esports enterprises, and position Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for digital creativity in the years to come.