Roblox has revealed its intention to set up a new regional office in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The plan is being backed by several Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation, which together aim to foster a vibrant digital‑creative environment. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox's General Manager for MENA and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the headquarters in Riyadh reflects a long‑term strategic investment in the Kingdom and aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda. "Our choice to base the regional hub in Riyadh underscores Roblox's commitment to the Kingdom's digital‑economy goals and our belief in the transformative potential of user‑generated content," he said.
El Sheakh added that the company intends to deepen existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, and to roll out new programs that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its ambition of becoming a global gaming hub. The Riyadh office will serve as a central point for a suite of initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent. These include workshops for aspiring developers, mentorship schemes linking seasoned Roblox creators with newcomers, and partnerships with schools and universities to integrate Roblox's creation tools into curricula. By providing hands‑on training and resources, Roblox hopes to lower the technical barriers that have traditionally prevented many from entering game development, thereby democratizing the creative process.
Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a move that introduced the platform's development suite and support services to the Saudi market. Dave Baszucki, Roblox's CEO, described the alliance as a vehicle for empowering anyone, anywhere, to become a creator by simplifying the technical complexities of game design. "This partnership will help bring our vision for creators to life across Saudi Arabia and will dovetail with the rapid expansion of the Kingdom's creator ecosystem under Vision 2030," Baszucki noted. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's flagship economic diversification plan, seeks to reduce the country's reliance on oil by fostering growth in sectors such as entertainment, tourism, and digital media.
Within this framework, the gaming industry is identified as a key growth engine. The government has set ambitious targets: by 2030, it aims to host 250 video‑game and esports companies and generate approximately 39,000 jobs in the sector. Roblox's expanded footprint is seen as a catalyst for achieving these objectives, offering both a platform for local developers to showcase their work and a pipeline for international talent to engage with Saudi audiences.
Roblox's presence in Riyadh is expected to generate a ripple effect throughout the regional economy. By attracting investment into game development studios, the company will help create a supply chain of ancillary services, including art, sound design, marketing, and esports event management. Moreover, the emphasis on educational initiatives aligns with the Kingdom's broader goal of equipping its youth with digital skills that are increasingly demanded in the global job market.
In addition to direct creator support, Roblox plans to launch community events and competitions that highlight Saudi culture and storytelling. These events will encourage developers to incorporate local narratives, folklore, and aesthetics into their games, thereby promoting cultural exchange and enhancing the global visibility of Saudi content. Such initiatives also serve to reinforce the Kingdom's soft power, presenting a modern, innovative image to the world.
The establishment of the Riyadh headquarters marks a significant milestone in Roblox's global expansion strategy. It demonstrates the company's confidence in the MENA region's potential and its willingness to invest resources to nurture a sustainable creator economy. As the platform continues to grow, it will likely play an integral role in shaping the future of interactive entertainment in Saudi Arabia and beyond, contributing to the diversification goals set out in Vision 2030 while offering new opportunities for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs alike.