Roblox has unveiled a plan to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights that the venture will be backed by several key 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 MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear signal of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia.
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." This statement underscores Roblox’s strategic alignment with the Kingdom’s ambitious economic diversification plan, which seeks to shift the country’s reliance away from oil and toward knowledge‑based industries such as gaming, technology, and creative media. El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in Saudi Arabia that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem.
He expressed optimism about future investments in programming that will help the Kingdom achieve its goal of becoming a global gaming hub. "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 said. The Riyadh headquarters follows a partnership announced earlier in the year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming company.
That partnership introduced Roblox’s development tools and support services to the local gaming infrastructure, allowing Saudi developers to tap into the platform’s extensive suite of creation resources. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the collaboration as a way to democratize game creation, stating that it "enables anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki emphasized that the alliance would help bring the vision of a thriving creator community to life across Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 agenda. "[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," he noted.
He also highlighted the importance of investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for Saudi youth, arguing that such investments will fuel the rapid expansion of the digital economy. Roblox’s expanded footprint in the region dovetails with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive reform program that aims to diversify the national economy, develop new sectors, and improve the country’s international reputation. Among the many pillars of Vision 2030 is a strong emphasis on digital transformation, including the development of a vibrant gaming and esports industry. The Kingdom has set ambitious targets for this sector, aspiring to nurture 250 video‑game and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade.
By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox hopes to accelerate the growth of local talent, provide mentorship and training, and create pathways for Saudi creators to reach a global audience. The company plans to launch a series of workshops, hackathons, and educational programs in partnership with schools, universities, and private training centers. These initiatives will focus on teaching the fundamentals of game design, scripting, 3D modeling, and community management, all within the context of Roblox’s user‑generated content ecosystem. In addition to education, Roblox intends to support the commercial side of the creator economy.
The new headquarters will house a dedicated business development team tasked with helping Saudi developers monetize their experiences through Roblox’s marketplace, advertising solutions, and virtual goods sales. The team will also work closely with local investors and venture capital firms to foster funding opportunities for promising studios. The move is also expected to have a ripple effect on related industries, such as animation, music, and virtual events.
By providing a platform where creators can experiment with immersive experiences, Roblox can stimulate demand for ancillary services like sound design, voice acting, and motion capture. This broader ecosystem development aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of positioning itself as a regional hub for creative digital content. Overall, Roblox’s decision to open a headquarters in Riyadh represents a strategic bet on the future of gaming and creator culture in the Middle East.
It reflects a belief that the region’s youthful population, high internet penetration, and growing appetite for interactive entertainment create a fertile environment for innovative digital experiences. As the company rolls out its expanded program, it will likely monitor key performance indicators such as the number of active creators, the volume of user‑generated games, and the economic impact measured in jobs and revenue.
If successful, the initiative could serve as a model for other global tech firms looking to invest in the MENA region, demonstrating how partnerships with local authorities, targeted educational investments, and a focus on lowering technical barriers can together unlock a vibrant creator economy. The Riyadh headquarters is slated to open later this year, marking the beginning of what Roblox hopes will be a long‑term, mutually beneficial relationship with Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA market.