Roblox has unveiled a plan to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights the backing of several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, all of which see the venture as a catalyst for local digital growth. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s general manager for the MENA region and Turkey, framed the decision as a clear indicator of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia. He explained that establishing a hub in Riyadh aligns with Roblox’s broader strategy to support the Kingdom’s digital‑economy ambitions outlined in Vision 2030.
"Our choice to locate the regional headquarters in Riyadh reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our dedication to advancing the Kingdom’s digital‑economy objectives under Vision 2030," El Sheakh said. He added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape. "By deepening our partnerships across Saudi Arabia—whether in schools, with emerging developers, or within the gaming ecosystem—we intend to fund programs that help the Kingdom become a worldwide gaming hub," El Sheakh noted.
The Riyadh office follows an earlier partnership announced earlier this year with Savvy Games Group, a joint venture that aims to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure. That alliance was highlighted by Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki as a way to democratize game creation, removing many of the technical hurdles that traditionally keep aspiring developers on the sidelines.
"The partnership enables anyone, anywhere, to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers that have historically made game development inaccessible," Baszucki explained. Baszucki also linked the collaboration to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, emphasizing that it would help realize the kingdom’s goal of nurturing a vibrant creator ecosystem. "This partnership will help bring that vision to life for creators across Saudi Arabia and dovetail with the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s creator community under Vision 2030," he said.
Beyond the partnership, Roblox’s leadership expressed confidence that investing in high‑quality, educational experiences for Saudi youth will feed directly into the nation’s fast‑growing digital economy. "We firmly believe that providing top‑tier educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s burgeoning digital sector," El Sheakh affirmed. Roblox’s expanded footprint dovetails with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the national economy away from oil dependence and elevate the country’s global standing. Part of this diversification strategy includes a strong focus on the entertainment and gaming sectors.
The kingdom has set ambitious targets: by 2030 it aims to host 250 video‑game and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 new jobs in these fields. The new Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for a range of activities. It will host training workshops for young developers, provide mentorship programs linking seasoned creators with newcomers, and act as a liaison point for local educational institutions seeking to integrate Roblox’s tools into curricula. Additionally, the office will coordinate with Saudi regulators to ensure that content aligns with cultural standards while still encouraging creative freedom.
From a business perspective, Roblox sees the MENA region as a high‑growth market. The company’s platform already boasts millions of active users worldwide, and the Middle East’s youthful, digitally‑savvy population presents a fertile audience for both creators and players.
By establishing a physical presence, Roblox hopes to better understand local preferences, tailor experiences to regional tastes, and accelerate the rollout of localized features such as Arabic language support and culturally relevant in‑game events. The initiative also aligns with broader governmental efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for technology and innovation. Recent years have seen the kingdom invest heavily in infrastructure projects, startup incubators, and educational reforms—all aimed at fostering a knowledge‑based economy. Roblox’s headquarters will likely collaborate with these initiatives, contributing expertise in areas like virtual world design, user‑generated content moderation, and safe online community building.
In summary, Roblox’s decision to open a headquarters in Riyadh is more than a simple office expansion; it is a strategic move that intertwines corporate growth with national development goals. By providing tools, training, and investment to the Saudi creator community, Roblox aims to empower a new generation of developers, stimulate job creation, and help the Kingdom achieve its Vision 2030 objectives of economic diversification and global cultural influence. The partnership with Savvy Games Group, the support from Saudi ministries, and the focus on education collectively signal a long‑term commitment that could reshape the gaming and digital entertainment landscape across the Middle East and North Africa.