Roblox has unveiled a plan to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights a collaborative effort that includes backing from the Saudi Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority for Media Regulation.
Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh underscores the company’s sustained commitment to Saudi Arabia and its broader digital‑economy ambitions outlined in Vision 2030. “Our choice to establish a regional base in Riyadh reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our dedication to supporting the Kingdom’s digital‑economy objectives under Vision 2030,” El Sheakh said. He added that the new office will build on existing partnerships in the country that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem.
“By expanding our collaborations across education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, we look forward to investing in programmes that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of becoming a global gaming hub,” he noted. The Riyadh office follows a strategic alliance announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a joint venture that aims to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure. This partnership is intended to lower the technical barriers that have traditionally prevented many aspiring developers from entering the game‑creation space. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the collaboration as a means to democratise game creation.
“Our partnership with Savvy Games Group enables anyone, anywhere to become a creator by reducing the technical hurdles that have historically been associated with game development,” Baszucki explained. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by fostering a thriving creator ecosystem.
“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 continued. “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 Saudi Arabia dovetails with the broader objectives of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil dependence and to raise its international profile as a centre for innovation and technology.
As part of this vision, the Saudi government has earmarked substantial resources for the video‑games sector, with an ambition to nurture 250 game‑development and esports companies and to generate roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. The new Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve several key functions. First, it will act as a regional hub for talent development, offering workshops, mentorship programmes, and educational curricula that teach young Saudis how to use Roblox’s suite of creation tools.
Second, it will provide a physical space for local developers to collaborate with Roblox engineers and product teams, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices. Third, the office will coordinate with Saudi educational institutions to integrate game‑design concepts into school and university programmes, thereby embedding digital‑creative skills into the national curriculum. In addition to these core activities, Roblox plans to launch a series of community‑focused events in Riyadh and other major Saudi cities. These events will showcase locally created games, host esports tournaments, and feature panels with industry veterans discussing trends in immersive entertainment.
By spotlighting home‑grown talent, Roblox hopes to inspire a new generation of creators who can compete on a global stage. The partnership with Savvy Games Group also includes the establishment of a developer fund that will provide financial support to promising Saudi studios. This fund is designed to reduce the upfront costs of game development, allowing creators to focus on innovation rather than financing.
Moreover, Roblox intends to offer localized technical support, ensuring that language and cultural nuances are respected throughout the development process. Roblox’s move into Saudi Arabia is part of a larger global expansion strategy that sees the company targeting emerging markets with high youth populations and growing internet penetration.
By positioning itself in Riyadh, Roblox gains a strategic foothold in a market that is rapidly embracing digital entertainment, while also contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a regional hub for technology and creative industries. Overall, the establishment of a Saudi Arabian headquarters signals Roblox’s confidence in the long‑term potential of the MENA region.
It reflects a commitment not only to business growth but also to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive creator ecosystem that aligns with national development goals. As the platform continues to evolve, Saudi creators will have unprecedented access to tools, resources, and global audiences, positioning them to play a significant role in the future of interactive entertainment.