Roblox has revealed that it will be establishing a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to bolster its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decision comes with backing from 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 MENA and Turkey, explained that locating the hub in Riyadh is a clear signal of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia. He said the headquarters reflects Roblox’s "long‑term investment in Saudi Arabia and our commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s digital economy objectives under Vision 2030." By planting its regional base in the capital, Roblox aims to deepen collaborations that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape, ultimately helping the Kingdom achieve its ambition to become a world‑class gaming hub.
The announcement follows a strategic partnership earlier this year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming conglomerate. That alliance introduced Roblox’s development tools and support services to the local market, giving Saudi developers access to a platform that simplifies game creation and lowers traditional technical barriers.
Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki highlighted the partnership’s purpose, stating that it enables "anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." He added that the collaboration will help realize the broader vision for creators throughout Saudi Arabia and align with the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. Roblox’s expansion is more than a corporate relocation; it is part of a larger economic diversification strategy championed by Vision 2030. The Saudi government’s roadmap seeks to reduce reliance on oil revenues by fostering sectors such as entertainment, technology, and sports.
Within this framework, video games and esports are identified as high‑growth industries capable of generating significant employment and export potential. The new headquarters will serve as a hub for talent development, offering training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities aimed at nurturing the next generation of Saudi game designers, artists, and programmers. Investment plans associated with the initiative are ambitious. Saudi Arabia aims to nurture 250 video‑game and esports companies by the end of the decade, creating roughly 39,000 jobs in the process.
Roblox’s presence is expected to accelerate these targets by providing a proven platform, a global community of developers, and a suite of monetization tools that can help local studios reach international audiences. Moreover, the company intends to work closely with educational institutions to embed game‑development curricula into schools and universities, thereby aligning academic pathways with industry needs.
In practical terms, the Riyadh office will coordinate several key functions: it will oversee regional marketing, manage partnerships with local telecom and hardware providers, and act as the primary liaison for regulatory compliance. The team will also spearhead community‑building initiatives, such as creator contests, hackathons, and live‑streamed events that showcase Saudi talent on a global stage.
By fostering a vibrant creator community, Roblox hopes to generate a self‑sustaining ecosystem where developers can collaborate, share resources, and collectively push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Beyond the immediate economic benefits, Roblox’s expansion aligns with cultural objectives as well. The platform’s emphasis on user‑generated content offers a unique avenue for Saudi creators to express their heritage, stories, and artistic sensibilities through immersive experiences. This cultural export potential dovetails with Vision 2030’s goal of enhancing the Kingdom’s global image and soft power.
The partnership with Savvy Games Group also includes a commitment to localize Roblox’s services, ensuring that language, payment options, and content moderation are tailored to regional preferences and regulatory standards. This localization effort is crucial for building trust among Saudi users and for complying with the General Authority of Media Regulation’s guidelines. Overall, Roblox’s decision to set up a regional headquarters in Riyadh represents a multifaceted strategy that blends business growth with socio‑economic development. By providing accessible development tools, investing in education, and collaborating with government and private partners, Roblox aims to empower a new generation of Saudi creators, stimulate job creation, and contribute to the broader diversification goals of Vision 2030.
The initiative underscores the company’s belief that nurturing high‑quality, educational opportunities for young Saudis will not only enrich the digital economy but also position the Kingdom as a leading player in the global gaming and esports arena.