Roblox has unveiled a plan to establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at bolstering its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the venture is being backed by several 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 hub in Riyadh reflects the company’s enduring commitment to the Kingdom and its broader digital‑economy ambitions under 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,” he said. He added that the new office will build on existing partnerships in the country that span education, creator development, and the wider gaming landscape.
The Riyadh office is expected to serve as a catalyst for a range of initiatives designed to nurture local talent and attract international developers. Roblox plans to roll out training programs, mentorship schemes, and community events that will give Saudi creators the tools and knowledge they need to build immersive experiences on the platform.
By doing so, the company hopes to help Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of becoming a global gaming hub, a key pillar of Vision 2030’s diversification strategy. Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a strategic partnership with Savvy Games Group, a collaboration that introduced Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure.
Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s chief executive officer, 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.” He emphasized that the partnership would help bring the company’s creator‑first vision to Saudi Arabia and align with the Kingdom’s broader push to expand its creator ecosystem. Baszucki also highlighted the educational component of the partnership, noting that “investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will contribute to the Kingdom’s rapidly growing digital economy.” This focus on education mirrors Roblox’s global strategy of integrating learning with play, offering young users a sandbox where they can acquire coding, design, and entrepreneurial skills while having fun. Roblox’s expanded footprint in Saudi Arabia dovetails with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and elevate the nation’s international profile. One of the specific targets outlined in Vision 2030 is the creation of a vibrant video‑games sector that will host around 250 gaming and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs by the end of the decade.
Roblox’s investment is poised to contribute directly to these metrics by fostering a pipeline of locally produced games and supporting the growth of esports tournaments and related services. Beyond job creation, the Riyadh headquarters is expected to act as a hub for cross‑border collaboration, linking Saudi developers with peers in other MENA markets as well as with Roblox’s extensive global network. This connectivity will enable knowledge sharing, joint ventures, and the exchange of best practices, accelerating the maturation of the regional gaming ecosystem.
The company also plans to work closely with Saudi educational institutions to integrate Roblox’s platform into curricula, promoting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) learning through interactive experiences. By embedding game‑creation tools in classrooms, Roblox hopes to inspire a new generation of innovators who can contribute to the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
In addition to educational and economic objectives, the Riyadh office will support community‑building efforts, such as hosting local developer conferences, hackathons, and creator meet‑ups. These events are intended to showcase success stories, provide networking opportunities, and highlight the commercial potential of user‑generated content on Roblox. Overall, the establishment of a regional headquarters in Riyadh signals Roblox’s confidence in the MENA market’s growth potential and its belief that Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leading player in the global gaming arena.
By aligning its strategy with Vision 2030, Roblox aims to not only expand its user base but also to play a meaningful role in the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification and cultural renaissance. The initiative underscores a broader trend of major tech firms setting up dedicated hubs in the Gulf region to tap into burgeoning talent pools and to support government‑led digital initiatives. As more companies follow suit, Saudi Arabia’s ambition to be a digital‑economy leader is likely to gain momentum, creating a virtuous cycle of investment, skill development, and job creation that could reshape the region’s tech landscape for years to come.