Roblox has disclosed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the explicit aim of nurturing its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the venture is being backed by several key Saudi entities, including the Ministry of Investment, the Riyadh Creative District, and the General Authority of Media Regulation.
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 signal of the company’s enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia. 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.” This statement underscores how the platform sees the Saudi market not merely as a short‑term opportunity, but as a strategic pillar for its global expansion.
El Sheakh also highlighted the broader context of Roblox’s collaborations within the kingdom. He noted that the firm has already forged partnerships in education, creator development, and the wider 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 initiatives are intended to dovetail with the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy, foster a knowledge‑based society, and position the country as a leader in digital innovation. The Riyadh office follows an earlier collaboration announced earlier this year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based gaming conglomerate.
That partnership was designed to bring Roblox’s development tools and support services to the local gaming infrastructure, making it easier for Saudi developers to create, publish, and monetize immersive experiences on the platform. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the alliance as a way to “enable anyone anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development.” By simplifying the development pipeline, Roblox hopes to unlock a wave of homegrown talent that can contribute to a vibrant creator economy. Baszucki also linked the partnership to the broader objectives of Vision 2030, stating, “[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 emphasized that investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for Saudi youth is essential for sustaining the kingdom’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The company believes that by equipping the next generation with the skills to design, code, and market interactive experiences, it can help drive job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. Roblox’s expanded footprint in Saudi Arabia is more than a symbolic gesture; it is part of a concrete investment plan that aligns with the government’s target to develop a robust video‑games sector.
Vision 2030 outlines ambitious goals, including the establishment of roughly 250 gaming and esports companies and the creation of 39,000 new jobs in the sector by the end of the decade. Roblox intends to play a pivotal role in achieving these milestones by offering its proprietary platform, developer resources, and community‑building tools to local entrepreneurs and aspiring creators. Beyond the immediate business implications, the Riyadh headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for educational initiatives. Roblox has a history of integrating learning outcomes into its platform, using game‑based experiences to teach subjects ranging from coding and digital citizenship to entrepreneurship and design thinking.
By collaborating with Saudi schools, universities, and vocational institutes, the company aims to embed these curricula into the national education system, thereby fostering a pipeline of skilled talent that can sustain the kingdom’s digital ambitions. In practical terms, the new office will house teams focused on creator support, community engagement, regulatory liaison, and partnership development. These groups will work closely with local developers to provide technical assistance, mentorship, and marketing guidance. They will also coordinate with Saudi regulatory bodies to ensure that content complies with cultural norms and legal requirements, a critical factor for success in the region.
The establishment of the Riyadh headquarters also signals Roblox’s confidence in the broader MENA market. The region has shown strong growth in internet penetration, mobile device usage, and youth demographics—key drivers for user‑generated content platforms. By situating a regional hub in Saudi Arabia, Roblox can more effectively serve neighboring countries, offering localized support, language translation, and region‑specific events that resonate with local audiences. Overall, Roblox’s move to open a Saudi Arabian headquarters reflects a multi‑layered strategy: it supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification goals, expands the company’s global creator base, and creates new economic opportunities for Saudi citizens.
As the platform continues to lower barriers to game development and empower creators of all ages, the Riyadh office is poised to become a catalyst for a thriving digital creative economy in the Middle East and North Africa.