Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to bolster its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, reported by Pocket Gamer, highlights a collaborative effort that includes backing from Saudi Arabia’s 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 underscores the company’s enduring commitment to the Kingdom’s digital‑economy agenda, particularly the objectives 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,” he said. El Sheakh added that the new office will build on existing partnerships in Saudi Arabia that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, and that Roblox intends to fund programs that help the country become a worldwide centre for gaming innovation. The Riyadh office will serve as a focal point for a suite of initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent, providing technical resources, and creating pathways for Saudi developers to reach a global audience. By offering workshops, mentorship schemes, and access to Roblox’s development tools, the company hopes to lower the barriers that traditionally prevent aspiring creators from entering the game‑development field.
This aligns with the broader vision of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil and position the Kingdom as a hub for high‑tech industries. Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a strategic partnership with Savvy Games Group, a move that introduced the platform’s creation suite and developer support network to the Saudi gaming landscape.
Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s CEO, 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 collaboration would help bring the platform’s creator‑centric philosophy to Saudi Arabia, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that aligns with the Kingdom’s ambition to nurture a homegrown creator community. The partnership with Savvy Games Group is expected to accelerate the rollout of localized content, educational programs, and community events. It will also provide Saudi developers with direct access to Roblox’s extensive library of assets, scripting tools, and monetisation options, thereby encouraging the production of games that reflect regional culture and storytelling traditions. Baszucki noted that this effort 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’s expansion into Saudi Arabia is more than a corporate footprint; it is part of a broader economic strategy.
Vision 2030 outlines a target of creating 250 video‑game and esports companies and generating approximately 39,000 jobs in the sector by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox aims to contribute directly to these goals, offering both employment opportunities and a pipeline for skill development in areas such as coding, 3D design, and digital entrepreneurship. In addition to job creation, Roblox plans to collaborate with Saudi educational institutions to integrate its platform into curricula focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). These initiatives will provide students with hands‑on experience in game design, fostering a generation of creators who are comfortable with both the creative and technical aspects of digital production.
The company believes that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis will be a catalyst for the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The new headquarters will also act as a bridge between local developers and the global Roblox community, facilitating cross‑regional collaborations, joint ventures, and knowledge exchange. By hosting hackathons, developer conferences, and community meet‑ups, Roblox hopes to cultivate a vibrant network that can share best practices, inspire innovation, and drive the creation of culturally resonant experiences for players worldwide. Overall, Roblox’s decision to anchor its MENA operations in Riyadh reflects a strategic alignment with Saudi Arabia’s long‑term economic diversification plans.
The company’s investment in infrastructure, talent development, and partnership ecosystems is poised to accelerate the growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sectors, while also providing Saudi creators with a powerful platform to showcase their work on a global stage. As Vision 2030 continues to shape the nation’s future, Roblox’s presence is set to play a pivotal role in turning Riyadh into a recognised hub for digital entertainment and interactive media.