Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights a collaborative effort that includes backing from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation.
"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," explained Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for MENA and Turkey. He added that the company intends to build on existing partnerships in the kingdom—spanning education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape—to fund programs that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its ambition of becoming a worldwide gaming hub. The Riyadh office will serve as a central hub for a suite of initiatives designed to nurture local talent, provide technical training, and foster a thriving community of developers who can build and monetize experiences on the Roblox platform. By situating the headquarters in the capital, Roblox hopes to be physically close to policymakers, educational institutions, and industry players, thereby accelerating the rollout of localized tools, curricula, and events.
This development follows an earlier collaboration with Savvy Games Group, announced earlier in the year, which introduced Roblox’s development suite and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure. The partnership was framed by Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki as a means to "enable anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." He emphasized that the alliance would help bring the company’s creator‑first vision to Saudi Arabia and align with the Kingdom’s broader push to expand its creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
Roblox’s leadership stressed that investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis is essential for the rapid growth of the nation’s digital economy. By offering workshops, mentorship programs, and certification pathways, the company aims to equip young Saudis with the skills needed to design, script, and publish immersive experiences. These efforts are expected to complement the Saudi government’s broader educational reforms, which increasingly emphasize STEM subjects, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s flagship plan to diversify the economy away from oil dependence, places a strong emphasis on the creative and technology sectors.
Gaming is identified as a key pillar, with targets that include the creation of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. Roblox’s expanded presence directly supports these goals by providing a platform that can incubate home‑grown studios, attract foreign investment, and stimulate ancillary services such as marketing, live‑streaming, and event production. Beyond job creation, the Riyadh headquarters is expected to act as a catalyst for cultural exchange.
Roblox’s platform enables users to build virtual worlds that reflect local traditions, folklore, and contemporary life, offering a digital showcase for Saudi culture to a global audience. This aligns with the kingdom’s desire to project a modern, innovative image abroad while preserving its heritage. The company also plans to collaborate with Saudi universities and technical colleges to integrate Roblox‑based curricula into existing programs. Such collaborations could see students earning credits for developing games or virtual experiences, thereby bridging the gap between academic study and real‑world industry demands.
In addition, Roblox intends to host regional hackathons, creator summits, and esports tournaments, providing further avenues for talent discovery and community building. From a technical standpoint, Roblox will invest in localized server infrastructure to ensure low‑latency gameplay for users across the Middle East and North Africa.
This infrastructure upgrade is crucial for delivering a seamless experience, especially as the platform anticipates a surge in user‑generated content from the region. Overall, the establishment of a Saudi Arabian headquarters marks a significant milestone in Roblox’s global expansion strategy. By anchoring its operations in Riyadh, the company not only deepens its commitment to the MENA region but also positions itself as a strategic partner in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious drive to become a leading hub for gaming, esports, and digital creation. The initiative promises to generate economic benefits, nurture creative talent, and contribute to the broader narrative of a diversified, knowledge‑based Saudi economy.