Roblox has disclosed its intention to establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights the backing of several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, all of which are eager to nurture a vibrant digital ecosystem. 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 Saudi Arabia. He said, "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." This statement underscores Roblox’s alignment with the Kingdom’s strategic plan to diversify its economy and develop a knowledge‑based society.
El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem. "By expanding 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 headquarters will serve as a central node for coordinating initiatives that help local developers, educators, and young creators access Roblox’s suite of tools and resources. The move follows a previously announced partnership with Savvy Games Group, which was revealed earlier in the year. That collaboration introduced Roblox’s development platform and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure, aiming to lower the technical barriers that traditionally prevent aspiring developers from entering the market. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the partnership as a means to "enable anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki emphasized that the alliance with Savvy Games Group would help bring the company’s vision for creators to life across Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader ambition to cultivate a robust creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
He noted, "[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." Roblox believes that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for Saudi youth will have a multiplier effect on the nation’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The company argues that by providing accessible tools for game design, immersive experiences, and virtual collaboration, it can help nurture a new generation of digital entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country's economic diversification goals. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s flagship development plan, seeks to reduce the nation’s reliance on oil revenues by fostering growth in sectors such as entertainment, tourism, and technology.
Within this framework, the gaming industry is earmarked as a key pillar. The Saudi government has set ambitious targets: by 2030, it aims to have 250 video‑game and esports companies operating in the Kingdom and to generate roughly 39,000 new jobs in these fields.
Roblox’s expanded presence is positioned as a catalyst for achieving these objectives. The Riyadh headquarters will likely host a range of activities, from developer workshops and hackathons to educational programs in partnership with local schools and universities. By integrating Roblox’s platform into curricula, educators hope to teach coding, digital storytelling, and collaborative design skills in a hands‑on environment.
Such initiatives are expected to dovetail with existing Saudi educational reforms that prioritize STEM learning and digital literacy. In addition to education, Roblox plans to support the commercial side of game creation.
The company intends to provide localized mentorship, funding opportunities, and market‑access pathways for Saudi developers seeking to launch games on the Roblox platform. This support could accelerate the emergence of region‑specific content that resonates with local audiences while also appealing to a global player base. The strategic location of the headquarters in Riyadh also signals Roblox’s confidence in the broader Middle East market.
The MENA region has shown rapid growth in internet penetration, mobile device usage, and online entertainment consumption. By anchoring its operations in the capital city, Roblox can more effectively coordinate with government agencies, industry partners, and community groups across the region. Overall, the establishment of a Roblox headquarters in Saudi Arabia represents a multifaceted effort to embed the company within the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda. Through education, creator support, and investment in the gaming sector, Roblox aims to help Saudi Arabia realize its Vision 2030 goals while simultaneously expanding its own global footprint.
The initiative exemplifies how a leading interactive platform can partner with a nation eager to become a hub for innovation, creativity, and economic diversification.