Roblox has revealed that it will be opening a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decision comes with the backing of several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority for Media Regulation, all of which see the initiative as a catalyst for the Kingdom’s broader digital ambitions. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA region and Turkey, explained that establishing a base in Riyadh is a clear indicator of the company’s commitment to the Saudi market.
"Our decision to set up a regional hub in Riyadh reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our dedication to supporting the Kingdom’s digital‑economy goals outlined in Vision 2030," he said. El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the wider gaming ecosystem, and will enable Roblox to fund programs that help Saudi Arabia evolve into a world‑class gaming hub. The announcement follows a strategic partnership earlier this year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based entity focused on expanding the gaming sector.
Through this alliance, Roblox’s development tools and support services are being introduced to the local gaming infrastructure, giving Saudi developers access to the same resources that power the global Roblox platform. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s CEO, highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that it "enables anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki emphasized that the collaboration aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of fostering a vibrant creator ecosystem within Saudi Arabia.
"This partnership will help realize that vision for creators across the Kingdom and dovetail with the rapid growth of the Saudi creator economy under Vision 2030," he remarked. He also stressed the importance of investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for Saudi youth, arguing that such investments will feed the nation’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Roblox’s expanded footprint in the Kingdom is part of a larger national strategy to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and to enhance Saudi Arabia’s global reputation as an innovative, technology‑driven society. Vision 2030 outlines ambitious targets for the gaming and esports sectors, aiming to nurture 250 gaming and esports companies and to generate roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.
By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox is positioning itself to contribute directly to these objectives, offering local talent a platform to create, monetize, and share immersive experiences. Beyond the immediate business implications, the Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for community engagement, developer education, and cultural exchange. Roblox plans to host workshops, hackathons, and mentorship programs that will teach Saudi students and aspiring developers the fundamentals of game design, coding, and digital storytelling.
These initiatives are intended to bridge the gap between traditional education and the practical skills needed to thrive in the modern digital economy. The move also signals Roblox’s confidence in the broader MENA market, which has shown strong growth in internet penetration, mobile device usage, and youth engagement with online platforms. By anchoring its operations in Saudi Arabia, Roblox can more effectively tailor its products and services to regional preferences, language nuances, and cultural considerations, thereby fostering a more inclusive and resonant user experience.
In addition to the partnership with Savvy Games Group, Roblox is exploring further collaborations with local universities, tech incubators, and government agencies. These relationships aim to create a pipeline for talent development, research, and innovation that can sustain the Kingdom’s long‑term digital aspirations. For instance, joint research projects may focus on emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI‑driven content creation, all of which could enhance the capabilities of Roblox’s platform and its creator community.
The establishment of the Riyadh office also reflects a broader trend of global tech firms seeking footholds in the Gulf region, attracted by supportive regulatory environments, strategic investment funds, and a youthful, tech‑savvy population. For Roblox, the opportunity to shape the nascent gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia offers both a commercial advantage and a chance to contribute to a transformative national agenda. Overall, Roblox’s decision to open a regional headquarters in Riyadh underscores a multifaceted strategy: it supports the company’s growth objectives, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification goals, and provides a catalyst for the next generation of Saudi creators to thrive on a global stage.
By combining investment, education, and partnership, Roblox aims to help Saudi Arabia become a leading hub for gaming innovation and to empower thousands of young Saudis to turn their creative ideas into viable digital experiences.