Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to strengthen its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the project enjoys backing from 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 the MENA region and Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh signals a deep, long‑term commitment to the Kingdom’s digital‑economy ambitions, particularly those outlined in Vision 2030.
“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,” he said. El Sheakh added that Roblox plans to build on existing collaborations within Saudi Arabia that span education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape.
He expressed optimism that the new office will enable the company to fund and launch programs that align with Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a worldwide gaming hub. The Riyadh office follows an earlier partnership announced earlier this year between Roblox and Savvy Games Group. That alliance was intended to bring Roblox’s development tools and developer‑support services to the Saudi gaming infrastructure, lowering the barriers that traditionally prevent many aspiring creators from entering the industry. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the partnership as a means to "enable anyone, anywhere to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers to entry traditionally associated with game development." Baszucki emphasized that the collaboration would help realize the broader vision for creators throughout Saudi Arabia and would dovetail with the growth of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030.
He noted, "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." Vision 2030, the sweeping reform plan launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil‑dependent economy and raise its profile on the global stage. A key pillar of the strategy is the development of a vibrant digital and entertainment sector, with particular emphasis on video games and esports. The government has set ambitious targets: by 2030, it aims to nurture 250 gaming and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs in the sector. Roblox’s new headquarters is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving those targets.
By providing local creators with access to Roblox’s robust suite of development tools, educational resources, and monetisation pathways, the company hopes to stimulate a wave of home‑grown games that can compete on an international level. In addition, the Riyadh office will likely coordinate with Saudi educational institutions to integrate game‑design curricula, offering workshops, mentorship programmes, and certification tracks that align with industry standards. Beyond education, the presence of a regional hub will enable Roblox to host events, hackathons, and creator‑focused conferences within the Kingdom. Such gatherings can foster networking among developers, investors, and policymakers, creating a fertile environment for startups to secure funding and for established studios to expand their operations.
The initiative also aligns with the broader objectives of the Riyadh Creative District, which aims to position the capital as a cultural and technological nexus in the Gulf. From a business perspective, Roblox sees the MENA region as an untapped market with a youthful, digitally‑savvy population. According to recent market research, more than half of the region’s internet users are under the age of 30, and mobile gaming consumption is rising sharply. By establishing a physical footprint in Riyadh, Roblox can better understand local preferences, tailor its platform to regional languages and cultural nuances, and forge partnerships with local brands seeking to reach younger audiences through immersive experiences.
The strategic move also reflects a global trend of major tech firms setting up regional bases in the Middle East to capitalize on the area’s rapid digital transformation. Companies such as Epic Games, Unity, and Microsoft have all announced investments or partnerships aimed at nurturing local talent and expanding their ecosystems. In summary, Roblox’s decision to open a headquarters in Riyadh represents a multifaceted effort to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, accelerate the growth of the MENA creator economy, and position the company as a leading platform for user‑generated content in the region.
By combining investment in education, infrastructure, and community building, Roblox aims to empower a new generation of Saudi developers, generate thousands of jobs, and contribute to the Kingdom’s broader ambition of becoming a global gaming powerhouse.