Roblox has unveiled a plan to establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights a collaborative effort that involves the Saudi Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, all of which are backing the project. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA region and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear indication of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia.
He said the headquarters reflects Roblox’s long‑term investment strategy and aligns with the Kingdom’s digital‑economy ambitions 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 intends to build on existing partnerships within the country, spanning education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem. He expressed enthusiasm for future programming that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of becoming a global gaming hub. "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 alliance announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a collaboration aimed at bringing Roblox’s development tools and support services to the region’s gaming infrastructure.
This partnership is intended to lower technical barriers and make it easier for anyone in Saudi Arabia to become a game creator. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the alliance as a means to "enable anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki also emphasized that the partnership aligns with the broader vision for creators in Saudi Arabia and supports the growth of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. "[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," he explained. Both executives underscored the importance of investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudi talent.
They believe that such investments will not only nurture creative skills but also feed the rapidly expanding digital economy of the Kingdom. "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," Baszucki affirmed. Roblox’s expanded presence dovetails with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic plan that seeks to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil dependence and bolster its international reputation as a forward‑looking, technology‑driven society.
Within this framework, the Kingdom has earmarked substantial resources for the video‑games sector, aiming to foster the creation of 250 gaming and esports companies and to generate approximately 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade. The new Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for local developers, educators, and entrepreneurs, providing them with access to Roblox’s robust suite of creation tools, mentorship programs, and community events. By offering training workshops, hackathons, and collaborative projects, Roblox hopes to cultivate a vibrant creator community that can produce culturally resonant experiences for both regional and global audiences. In addition to direct support for creators, Roblox plans to work closely with Saudi educational institutions to integrate its platform into curricula focused on coding, digital design, and entrepreneurship.
These initiatives aim to equip students with practical skills that are increasingly valuable in the modern job market, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom’s broader goal of building a knowledge‑based economy. The partnership with Savvy Games Group also includes the development of localized content and language support, ensuring that Saudi creators can work in Arabic and tailor experiences to regional preferences. This localization effort is seen as a critical factor in driving user adoption and fostering a sense of ownership among local developers. Overall, Roblox’s decision to anchor its MENA operations in Riyadh signals a strong vote of confidence in Saudi Arabia’s emerging digital landscape.
By combining investment, education, and community building, the company aims to empower a new generation of creators, stimulate economic diversification, and position the Kingdom as a leading destination for gaming innovation on the world stage.