Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the venture enjoys backing from several 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 the MENA and Turkey markets, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh underscores the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia and its broader digital‑economy goals outlined in Vision 2030. “Our choice to establish a regional headquarters 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 firm intends to build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, and that it will channel resources into programs designed to help Saudi Arabia become a worldwide center for gaming. The Riyadh office will serve as a base for a range of initiatives, from developer workshops and educational outreach to partnerships with local studios and universities. By providing hands‑on training, mentorship, and access to Roblox’s suite of development tools, the company hopes to lower the barriers that traditionally prevent aspiring designers from entering the game‑creation field. This aligns with Roblox’s broader mission to democratize content creation, allowing anyone with an internet connection to build and share immersive experiences.
Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a strategic partnership with Savvy Games Group, a move that introduced the platform’s development tools and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s CEO, described the alliance as a means of “enabling anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development.” He emphasized that the collaboration would help bring the company’s vision for creators to life throughout Saudi Arabia and would dovetail with the Kingdom’s ambitions to nurture a vibrant creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. Baszucki also highlighted the importance of investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for Saudi youth, noting that such investments would feed directly into the nation’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
“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,” he said. Roblox’s expansion is part of a larger wave of initiatives aimed at diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil.
Vision 2030 sets a target of establishing 250 video‑game and esports companies and generating roughly 39,000 jobs in the sector by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox positions itself to be a key partner in achieving those objectives, offering both technical expertise and a platform for local talent to showcase their work on a global stage. The new headquarters will also act as a liaison point between Roblox’s global operations and regional stakeholders, ensuring that local cultural nuances are respected while still delivering the company’s core values of creativity, safety, and community.
In practice, this could mean localized events, Arabic‑language resources, and collaborations with Saudi schools to integrate game‑based learning into curricula. Industry observers see the move as a signal that major Western tech firms are taking the MENA market seriously, recognizing both its youthful demographics and its growing appetite for interactive digital experiences. The presence of a dedicated Roblox office in Riyadh may also encourage other developers and publishers to consider the region for future investments, further accelerating the growth of a homegrown gaming sector.
Overall, the establishment of a Roblox headquarters in Saudi Arabia represents a multifaceted strategy: it supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification goals, expands opportunities for local creators, and reinforces Roblox’s position as a leading platform for user‑generated content worldwide. By combining financial investment, educational programs, and community‑building initiatives, Roblox aims to help Saudi Arabia become a recognized hub for gaming innovation and talent development.