Roblox has revealed its intention to set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of bolstering its creator program across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This strategic expansion is being carried out in close collaboration with several key Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority for Media Regulation, all of which have pledged their support to the project.
Mohamed El Sheakh, Roblox’s General Manager for the MENA region and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh is a clear sign of the company’s long‑term commitment to the Kingdom. 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.” By anchoring its operations in the heart of the country, Roblox hopes to align its growth trajectory with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic diversification plan, known as Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce reliance on oil revenues and foster a knowledge‑based economy.
El Sheakh also highlighted the existing partnerships that Roblox has cultivated within Saudi Arabia, spanning education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem. “Building on our partnerships in Saudi Arabia across education, creator development, and the gaming ecosystem, we look forward to investing in programming that will support Saudi Arabia's goal to become a global hub for gaming,” he added.
These collaborations are expected to generate a pipeline of local talent, provide training and mentorship for aspiring developers, and create a supportive environment for indie studios to flourish. The Riyadh office will serve as a central point for a variety of initiatives. It will host workshops and bootcamps designed to teach young Saudis the fundamentals of game design, coding, and digital storytelling using Roblox’s proprietary tools.
In addition, the hub will coordinate with schools and universities to integrate Roblox‑based curricula into STEM programs, thereby giving students hands‑on experience with a platform that blends creativity with technical skill. Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a move that laid the groundwork for the current expansion. The collaboration was announced with the purpose of introducing Roblox’s development suite and support services to the regional gaming infrastructure. Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s Chief Executive Officer, described the partnership as a means to democratize game creation.
He said, “The partnership enables anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development.” By simplifying the development process, Roblox hopes to empower a broader demographic of Saudi users to produce content, ranging from simple interactive experiences to complex multiplayer games. Baszucki further emphasized that the alliance with Savvy Games Group aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
“[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 noted. He added that investing in high‑quality educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis is essential for nurturing a vibrant digital economy. “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,” Baszucki affirmed.
Roblox’s increased presence in Saudi Arabia dovetails with the broader goals of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the national economy, stimulate innovation, and enhance the country’s global reputation as a forward‑looking hub for technology and entertainment. Among the specific targets outlined in Vision 2030 are the creation of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the generation of approximately 39,000 jobs in the gaming sector by the year 2030.
Roblox’s investment is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these milestones by providing both the platform and the expertise needed to nurture homegrown studios and independent developers. Beyond direct economic contributions, the Riyadh headquarters is poised to act as a cultural bridge, fostering cross‑regional collaborations between creators in the MENA region and those in other parts of the world.
By facilitating knowledge exchange and joint projects, Roblox hopes to elevate the global visibility of Saudi and MENA‑based games, showcasing the region’s unique narratives and artistic styles on an international stage. In practical terms, the new office will house a team of product managers, community liaisons, and educational specialists tasked with tailoring Roblox’s global resources to local needs. This team will work closely with Saudi policymakers to ensure that the platform’s growth aligns with national regulations and cultural considerations, while also advocating for policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital sector. Overall, the establishment of Roblox’s Riyadh headquarters represents a significant step forward for the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda.
By providing a dedicated base for creator support, education, and industry partnership, Roblox aims to catalyze a thriving ecosystem of games and interactive experiences that not only entertain but also contribute to the economic diversification and cultural enrichment envisioned by Vision 2030. The initiative underscores the mutual benefits of public‑private collaboration in building a sustainable, future‑ready gaming industry in Saudi Arabia and across the broader MENA region.