Roblox has revealed that it will establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of bolstering its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the project enjoys the backing of several key Saudi entities, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear indicator of the company’s long‑term commitment to the Kingdom.
“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,” he said. El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, and will serve as a catalyst for programs that help Saudi Arabia achieve its ambition to become a global gaming hub. The Riyadh office will act as a central point for Roblox’s creator‑support initiatives, offering local developers access to the platform’s robust suite of tools, training resources, and community networks. By situating these services within the Kingdom, Roblox hopes to lower the barriers that have traditionally prevented aspiring game makers from entering the industry, thereby expanding the pool of talent that can contribute to both the regional and global Roblox economies.
Earlier in the year, Roblox entered into a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based investment firm focused on gaming and interactive entertainment. That collaboration was designed to bring Roblox’s development platform and technical support to the Kingdom’s emerging gaming infrastructure. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s chief executive officer, described the partnership as a way 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 realize the vision of a thriving creator community throughout Saudi Arabia and align with the broader growth of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s sweeping economic diversification plan, which seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on oil revenues by fostering growth in sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and digital technology. Within this framework, the government has earmarked substantial resources for the video‑games industry, aiming to nurture 250 game and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade. Roblox’s expanded footprint is expected to dovetail with these objectives, providing a platform for local talent to develop, publish, and monetize interactive experiences that can reach a global audience.
Roblox’s presence in Saudi Arabia also carries an educational dimension. The company plans to launch a series of workshops, mentorship programs, and school‑based curricula that teach coding, 3D design, and digital storytelling. By integrating these initiatives into the Kingdom’s educational system, Roblox hopes to equip the next generation of Saudis with the skills needed for the digital economy, while simultaneously feeding its own pipeline of creators.
El Sheakh noted, "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." In addition to education and creator support, the Riyadh headquarters will serve as a hub for strategic partnerships with local publishers, esports organizers, and cultural institutions. These collaborations are intended to produce regionally relevant content that reflects Middle Eastern narratives, languages, and aesthetics, thereby enriching Roblox’s global catalog with diverse perspectives.
The company also intends to host annual developer conferences and hackathons in Riyadh, providing a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the celebration of local talent. The move underscores Roblox’s broader strategy to expand its international footprint beyond North America and Europe. Over the past few years, the platform has experienced explosive growth, boasting over 70 million daily active users worldwide and a thriving marketplace where creators can earn real income. By establishing a physical presence in Saudi Arabia, Roblox not only gains closer proximity to a rapidly expanding user base but also signals to other emerging markets that it is serious about long‑term investment and partnership.
Overall, the Riyadh headquarters represents a multi‑faceted effort to align Roblox’s growth ambitions with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. Through financial investment, educational outreach, creator empowerment, and cultural collaboration, the company aims to help transform the Kingdom into a leading hub for gaming and interactive media. As the initiative unfolds, it will likely serve as a benchmark for how global tech platforms can work hand‑in‑hand with governments and local stakeholders to nurture digital economies, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of creators across the region.