Roblox has revealed that it will be setting up a dedicated regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the explicit goal of nurturing its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decision comes as part of a broader strategy to deepen the company’s footprint in the Gulf and to provide local developers, educators, and gamers with more direct access to Roblox’s suite of tools, resources, and support services. According to a report from Pocket Gamer, the new office will be backed by several key Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation.
These partnerships are intended to streamline regulatory processes, foster collaboration with local creative talent, and align Roblox’s activities with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the national economy and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for digital innovation and entertainment. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA region and Turkey, explained the rationale behind the move: “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 added that the company plans to build on existing collaborations in the fields of education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, and that it will channel new programming and funding toward initiatives that help Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of becoming an internationally recognized gaming center. The Riyadh office will serve as a hub for a range of activities, from hosting workshops and hackathons for aspiring developers to partnering with schools and universities on curricula that teach coding, game design, and digital entrepreneurship. By providing hands‑on training and mentorship, Roblox hopes to lower the barriers that traditionally prevent many young Saudis from entering the game‑development field, thereby expanding the talent pool and fueling the growth of a vibrant local creator economy.
This announcement follows an earlier partnership with Savvy Games Group, which was unveiled earlier in the year. That collaboration introduced Roblox’s development platform and support services to Saudi Arabia’s gaming infrastructure, creating a pipeline for local studios to build, publish, and monetize experiences on the Roblox platform. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that it “enables anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development.” He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the broader vision of empowering Saudi creators and integrating them into the Kingdom’s expanding digital ecosystem.
Baszucki also noted that the partnership would “help realize that vision for creators across Saudi Arabia and align with the growth of the Kingdom's creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.” He reiterated Roblox’s belief that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will not only enrich the local talent landscape but also contribute meaningfully to the rapid expansion of the country’s digital economy. Vision 2030 outlines a series of ambitious targets for the Saudi economy, including the creation of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of 39,000 jobs in the sector by the end of the decade. Roblox’s expanded presence is positioned as a catalyst for achieving these goals, offering both the technological infrastructure and the creative community needed to launch successful gaming ventures.
The company’s platform, which blends social interaction, user‑generated content, and monetization tools, is seen as an ideal environment for budding entrepreneurs to experiment, iterate, and bring their ideas to market. In practical terms, the Riyadh headquarters will host a team of regional specialists tasked with supporting local developers through technical assistance, marketing guidance, and access to Roblox’s global network of creators. The office will also coordinate with Saudi ministries and private‑sector partners to launch joint initiatives, such as national game‑jam events, scholarship programs for STEM education, and mentorship schemes linking experienced Roblox developers with emerging talent in the region.
Beyond the immediate creator community, Roblox’s investment is expected to have spill‑over effects on related industries, including cloud computing, digital advertising, and e‑commerce. By fostering a thriving ecosystem of games and immersive experiences, the company anticipates increased demand for ancillary services such as server hosting, payment processing, and localized content moderation, all of which contribute to broader economic diversification. Overall, Roblox’s decision to open a headquarters in Riyadh underscores its confidence in the long‑term potential of the MENA market and its commitment to aligning corporate growth with Saudi Arabia’s national development priorities.
Through strategic partnerships, educational outreach, and targeted investment, the company aims to empower a new generation of Saudi creators, stimulate job creation, and help position the Kingdom as a leading destination for gaming and digital entertainment on the world stage.