Roblox has disclosed 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, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights that the venture enjoys the backing of several key Saudi institutions, 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 underscores the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia and its broader digital‑economy goals outlined in Vision 2030. 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." El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in the Kingdom that span education, creator development, and the wider gaming ecosystem.
He expressed optimism that Roblox will be able to fund and deliver programs that align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a world‑class hub for gaming and interactive entertainment. The Riyadh office follows an earlier partnership announced earlier this year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based entity tasked with expanding the platform’s development tools and support services throughout the region’s gaming infrastructure.
In that partnership, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki emphasized the company’s mission to democratize game creation, stating that the collaboration would "enable anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki also linked the partnership to Vision 2030, noting that it would help bring the Kingdom’s burgeoning creator ecosystem to life. "[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 said. He further highlighted the importance of investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for Saudi youth, arguing that such initiatives will feed the rapidly expanding digital economy. Roblox’s expanded footprint in Saudi Arabia is closely tied to the broader objectives of Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil dependence and to elevate its global reputation as an innovation hub.
Part of the vision includes a robust focus on the video‑games sector, with a target of establishing 250 gaming and esports companies and generating roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox aims to provide localized support for developers, offer training workshops, and create networking opportunities that connect Saudi creators with international talent. The company plans to launch a series of educational programs in partnership with local schools and universities, teaching students the fundamentals of game design, coding, and digital storytelling using Roblox’s proprietary tools.
In addition to educational outreach, the headquarters will serve as a hub for business development, helping Saudi studios navigate publishing, monetization, and community‑building on the Roblox platform. The company intends to host regular hackathons, creator summits, and esports tournaments that showcase home‑grown talent and attract global attention to the Kingdom’s creative output. Roblox’s strategy also includes investing in infrastructure that supports high‑performance online experiences, such as improved server latency and localized data centers, to ensure that Saudi users enjoy smooth gameplay and reliable access to the platform. These technical enhancements are expected to encourage higher user engagement and stimulate the growth of user‑generated content originating from the region.
Industry analysts view Roblox’s move as a signal that the global gaming industry is recognizing the untapped potential of the MENA market. With a youthful population, high smartphone penetration, and increasing internet connectivity, the region presents a fertile ground for platforms that blend social interaction with user‑generated gaming experiences. The establishment of the Riyadh headquarters also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural initiatives, such as the Saudi Entertainment Authority’s efforts to promote local content creation and the Kingdom’s hosting of international gaming events.
By collaborating with these entities, Roblox hopes to integrate its ecosystem into the national entertainment landscape, contributing to a diversified cultural offering that complements the country’s economic reforms. Overall, Roblox’s decision to open a regional office in Saudi Arabia reflects a multi‑layered strategy: it supports the company’s ambition to expand its creator community, it dovetails with Saudi Vision 2030’s diversification goals, and it positions Roblox as a key player in the emerging MENA gaming market. As the platform continues to grow, the Riyadh hub is expected to become a catalyst for innovation, education, and employment, helping to shape the next generation of digital creators in the Kingdom and beyond.