Roblox has disclosed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator programme across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights that the venture is being backed by 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 MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear indicator of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia.
He said the headquarters will serve as a tangible expression of Roblox’s long‑term investment strategy and its desire to help the Kingdom achieve its digital‑economy targets 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," El Sheakh said. He added that the company intends to build on existing collaborations in the country that span education, creator development and the broader gaming ecosystem.
"We look forward to investing in programming that will support Saudi Arabia's goal to become a global hub for gaming," he continued. The new office follows an earlier partnership announced earlier this year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based venture that aims to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the regional gaming infrastructure.
That alliance is meant to lower the technical barriers that have traditionally kept many aspiring developers from entering the market, thereby enabling a wider range of people to become creators on the platform. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the Savvy Games Group collaboration as a way 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 aligns with the broader vision of nurturing a vibrant creator ecosystem throughout Saudi Arabia and supports the Kingdom’s 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," Baszucki said. "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." Roblox’s expanded footprint in the region dovetails with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to diversify the national economy away from oil dependence and elevate the country's global standing.
A key component of Vision 2030 is the development of a robust digital and entertainment sector, and the gaming industry is viewed as a catalyst for job creation, skill development and cultural exchange. According to official projections, the Kingdom aims to foster 250 video‑game and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 new jobs in the sector by the end of the decade. Roblox’s presence is expected to accelerate those goals by providing local developers with access to world‑class tools, mentorship programmes, and a global distribution platform.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, the Riyadh headquarters will serve as a hub for educational initiatives. Roblox plans to launch workshops, university collaborations and certification courses that teach coding, 3D design, and interactive storytelling. These programs are intended to equip Saudi youth with the technical competencies required for future‑focused careers, while also encouraging creative expression within a safe, moderated environment. The company also intends to work closely with Saudi schools and vocational institutions to integrate Roblox‑based learning modules into curricula.
By doing so, it hopes to make game development an accessible pathway for students who might otherwise lack exposure to such technology. This aligns with broader regional efforts to modernise education and promote STEM subjects. In addition to education, Roblox will invest in community‑building activities such as local developer meet‑ups, hackathons and creator festivals. These events aim to foster networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration among Saudi creators, international partners and industry experts.
By creating a vibrant ecosystem of creators, the company hopes to stimulate the production of culturally relevant games that resonate with regional audiences while also appealing to a global market. The strategic move also reflects a larger trend of Western tech firms establishing regional bases in the Gulf to tap into the fast‑growing consumer base and to benefit from supportive government policies. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has introduced incentives, regulatory reforms and funding programmes that make the Kingdom an attractive destination for digital‑media investments. Roblox’s Riyadh office is expected to employ a mix of local talent and expatriate experts, fostering knowledge transfer and capacity building within the Saudi workforce.
The company has indicated that it will prioritize hiring Saudi nationals for roles ranging from product management to community outreach, thereby contributing directly to the country’s employment targets. Overall, the establishment of a Roblox headquarters in Riyadh signals a deepening of the company’s commitment to the MENA region and underscores the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia’s digital‑economy roadmap. By offering robust creator tools, educational resources, and a platform for global distribution, Roblox aims to empower a new generation of Saudi developers, support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, and position the region as a burgeoning hub for interactive entertainment and esports.