Roblox has disclosed its intention to set up a regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights that the new office will be backed by 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 regional hub in Riyadh is a clear signal of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia.
He said the move reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment strategy and its desire to align with the Kingdom’s digital‑economy goals outlined in Vision 2030. "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," El Sheakh stated. El Sheakh added that Roblox is building on existing collaborations in Saudi Arabia that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem.
He expressed optimism about future programming that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its ambition to become a world‑class hub for gaming. "Building on our partnerships in Saudi Arabia across education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, we look forward to investing in programming that will support Saudi Arabia's goal to become a global hub for gaming," he said.
The Riyadh office follows a strategic partnership announced earlier in the year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group. That alliance was designed to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure, making it easier for local talent to create and publish interactive experiences. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the collaboration as a way to democratize game creation, noting that it lowers the technical barriers that have traditionally limited entry into game development.
"[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 said. Baszucki also emphasized Roblox’s belief that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for Saudi youth will have a ripple effect on the Kingdom’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 remarked.
Roblox’s expanded footprint in Saudi Arabia dovetails with Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan to diversify the nation’s economy and improve its global standing. The initiative includes substantial investments in the video‑game sector, with the government targeting the creation of 250 gaming and esports companies and the generation of approximately 39,000 jobs by the year 2030. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox aims to play a direct role in achieving these objectives, offering local developers access to its robust platform, training resources, and a worldwide audience. Beyond the immediate business benefits, the headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for community outreach, workshops, and educational programs that teach coding, digital design, and entrepreneurship to young Saudis.
These initiatives are designed to nurture a pipeline of skilled creators who can contribute to both the local and global gaming markets. The presence of a major international player like Roblox also signals to other technology firms that Saudi Arabia is an attractive destination for investment, potentially spurring further foreign direct investment in the tech sector.
In practical terms, the Riyadh office will house teams focused on creator support, partnership development, and regulatory liaison. By working closely with the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority of Media Regulation, Roblox hopes to ensure that its platform complies with local standards while still offering the freedom and flexibility that have made it popular worldwide.
The collaboration with the Riyadh Creative District is also expected to foster cross‑industry projects that blend gaming with other creative fields such as music, film, and virtual events. Overall, Roblox’s decision to establish a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia represents a strategic alignment of corporate goals with national development priorities.
It underscores the company's belief that empowering creators through accessible tools and robust support can drive economic diversification, job creation, and cultural exchange. As the platform continues to grow in popularity across the MENA region, the Riyadh hub will likely become a pivotal center for innovation, education, and industry collaboration, helping Saudi Arabia move closer to its Vision 2030 aspirations.