Roblox has unveiled a plan to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the project enjoys backing from 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 the MENA region and Turkey, explained that the decision to base the regional office in Riyadh is a clear signal of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia.
“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 the new hub will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape, allowing Roblox to fund programs that align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a worldwide gaming hub. The Riyadh office will serve as a central point for Roblox’s creator program, which provides tools, resources, and mentorship to developers of all ages and skill levels. By situating the headquarters in the capital, Roblox hopes to foster closer ties with local schools, universities, and tech incubators, creating pathways for Saudi youth to learn game design, coding, and digital entrepreneurship.
The company plans to host workshops, hackathons, and mentorship sessions that are tailored to the cultural and educational context of the region, thereby lowering the barriers that traditionally prevent aspiring creators from entering the industry. This expansion follows an earlier partnership announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming conglomerate. The collaboration was designed to introduce Roblox’s development platform and support services into the Kingdom’s gaming infrastructure. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s CEO, described the alliance 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 partnership would help bring the company’s vision for creators to life across Saudi Arabia and would dovetail with the growth of the nation’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s sweeping economic diversification plan, aims to reduce the country’s reliance on oil by nurturing sectors such as entertainment, tourism, and digital technology. Within this framework, the Kingdom has set ambitious targets for the gaming industry, including the establishment of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the creation of roughly 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade.
Roblox’s new headquarters is positioned to contribute directly to these goals by nurturing local talent, encouraging the formation of indie studios, and providing a pipeline for Saudi‑developed games to reach a global audience. Roblox’s presence in the region is also expected to have a ripple effect on education. The company has a history of integrating learning outcomes into its platform, offering experiences that blend play with curriculum‑aligned content in subjects such as mathematics, physics, and storytelling.
By partnering with Saudi schools and higher‑education institutions, Roblox intends to develop localized educational modules that reflect the Kingdom’s cultural heritage while teaching universal digital skills. This approach aligns with the broader objective of equipping the next generation of Saudis with the competencies needed for a thriving digital economy. In addition to education and creator support, Roblox plans to invest in community‑building initiatives. The Riyadh office will coordinate with local gaming festivals, esports tournaments, and cultural events to showcase Saudi‑made content and celebrate the region’s creative talent.
These activities are designed to raise the profile of Saudi developers on the global stage, attract foreign investment, and stimulate cross‑border collaborations. From a business perspective, the establishment of a physical headquarters signals confidence in the market’s growth potential.
Saudi Arabia’s youthful population—over half of its citizens are under the age of 30—represents a substantial user base for Roblox’s social‑gaming platform. By providing a localized support structure, Roblox aims to increase user engagement, boost the number of active creators, and ultimately generate more in‑platform revenue through virtual item sales and subscriptions. Roblox’s strategic move also reflects a broader trend of Western tech firms seeking deeper roots in the Gulf region.
The combination of government incentives, a supportive regulatory environment, and a clear vision for digital transformation makes Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for companies looking to expand beyond traditional markets. By aligning its objectives with Vision 2030, Roblox not only gains access to new talent and consumers but also positions itself as a partner in the Kingdom’s socioeconomic development. In summary, Roblox’s decision to open a regional headquarters in Riyadh marks a significant milestone for both the company and Saudi Arabia’s digital ambitions.
The new hub will serve as a catalyst for creator empowerment, educational innovation, and economic diversification, helping the Kingdom move closer to its Vision 2030 targets while offering Saudi youth unprecedented opportunities to shape the future of gaming and interactive media.