Roblox has revealed that it will be setting up a regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of strengthening its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decision comes with backing from several key Saudi entities, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority for Media Regulation, all of which are eager to see the digital entertainment sector flourish. Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA region and Turkey, explained that the establishment of a Riyadh base is a clear sign of the company’s commitment to the Kingdom’s long‑term digital strategy.
"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 said. He added that the new office will serve as a hub for collaborations with local partners in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, helping Saudi Arabia advance its ambition to become a worldwide centre for gaming innovation. The announcement follows a strategic partnership earlier this year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming consortium.
That partnership was designed to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Kingdom, making it easier for local talent to build and publish games on the platform. Roblox’s chief executive, Dave Baszucki, highlighted the importance of lowering technical barriers for aspiring developers, 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 emphasized how the alliance aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a sweeping reform plan that seeks to diversify the economy away from oil and position the country as a leader in technology, entertainment, and education. "[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 remarked. "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 in the region is more than just a corporate move; it dovetails with broader governmental goals.
Vision 2030 outlines a target of creating 250 video‑game and esports companies within the Kingdom and generating roughly 39,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox hopes to nurture local talent, provide mentorship, and deliver educational programs that teach coding, game design, and digital entrepreneurship. The new headquarters will host a variety of initiatives.
First, there will be a creator academy that offers workshops, bootcamps, and mentorship schemes for young Saudis interested in building immersive experiences. Second, Roblox plans to collaborate with Saudi universities and technical institutes to integrate its development platform into curricula, thereby giving students hands‑on experience with industry‑standard tools. Third, the company will launch a series of community events, hackathons, and competitions aimed at uncovering promising developers and giving them exposure to global audiences. In addition to education and talent development, Roblox intends to invest in infrastructure that supports local game studios.
This includes offering cloud‑based services, localized server support, and financial incentives for startups that choose to build on the Roblox platform. By doing so, the firm hopes to create a self‑sustaining ecosystem where creators can monetize their work, attract investors, and scale their projects internationally. The presence of the Ministry of Investment and the Riyadh Creative District signals strong governmental support for the venture. These agencies are expected to facilitate regulatory approvals, provide tax incentives, and assist with market entry strategies.
Their involvement also underscores the Kingdom’s broader ambition to become a regional hub for digital content creation, not just consumption. Roblox’s entry into Saudi Arabia arrives at a time when the global gaming market is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to industry analysts, the worldwide video‑game market is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2027, with the MENA region accounting for a rapidly expanding share of that total. By positioning itself early in Saudi Arabia, Roblox aims to capture a significant portion of this emerging market, while also contributing to the Kingdom’s economic diversification goals.
Overall, the establishment of a Roblox headquarters in Riyadh represents a multi‑faceted strategy: it supports the company’s expansion objectives, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic reforms, and creates new pathways for local creators to engage with a global audience. As the platform continues to grow, the partnership between Roblox and Saudi institutions could serve as a model for how technology firms and governments can collaborate to foster innovation, education, and job creation in the digital age.