Roblox has revealed that it will 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, highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the project enjoys the backing of 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 Türkiye, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh underscores the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia and its broader digital‑economy ambitions 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, spanning education, creator development, and the wider gaming landscape.
"By deepening our partnerships across education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, we look forward to investing in programs that will help Saudi Arabia become a global hub for gaming," he remarked. The Riyadh office follows a strategic alliance announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a partnership designed to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure. Roblox chief executive Dave Baszucki characterized the collaboration as a means to democratise game creation, stating that it "enables anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki emphasized that the partnership aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for its creator ecosystem: "[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 also highlighted the broader educational impact, noting, "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." Roblox’s expansion is part of a larger push by Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy away from oil dependence and to elevate its international reputation as a technology and entertainment hub.
Vision 2030 outlines a series of targets for the digital sector, including the creation of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. The Riyadh headquarters will serve as a central node for a variety of initiatives.
First, it will host a creator academy that offers training modules on game design, scripting, and virtual‑world building, tailored to the cultural context of the region. Second, the office will coordinate with local universities and technical institutes to integrate Roblox‑based curricula into computer‑science and digital‑arts programs, ensuring that students gain hands‑on experience with industry‑standard tools. In addition to education, the hub will act as a liaison for developers seeking funding, mentorship, and market entry support.
Roblox plans to launch a grant program that awards seed capital to promising Saudi studios, encouraging them to produce original titles that can be distributed globally through the Roblox platform. This financial backing is expected to stimulate entrepreneurship and attract foreign investment to the Kingdom’s burgeoning gaming sector. The presence of a dedicated regional office also promises to streamline regulatory compliance and content moderation for games created in the MENA region. By working closely with the General Authority of Media Regulation, Roblox aims to ensure that all user‑generated content adheres to local cultural norms and legal standards, while still fostering creativity and innovation.
From a consumer perspective, Saudi gamers will benefit from localized events, tournaments, and community gatherings organized from the Riyadh base. These activities are designed to nurture a vibrant player community, encourage social interaction, and showcase homegrown talent on a global stage. The company also intends to collaborate with Saudi influencers and content creators to produce culturally resonant experiences that reflect the Kingdom’s heritage and contemporary aspirations. Overall, the establishment of Roblox’s Riyadh headquarters represents a multifaceted strategy that intertwines corporate growth with national development goals.
By providing education, funding, regulatory guidance, and community support, Roblox seeks to embed itself deeply within Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation journey. As Vision 2030 continues to drive diversification and innovation across the Kingdom, the partnership between Roblox and Saudi institutions is poised to generate lasting economic impact, create thousands of skilled jobs, and position Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for game development and esports in the Middle East and beyond.