Roblox has revealed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step designed to bolster 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 MENA and Türkiye, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh underscores the company’s enduring commitment to the Kingdom and its broader digital‑economy ambitions under 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 the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming landscape, and will enable Roblox to fund programs that align with Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to become a worldwide gaming hub. The Riyadh office follows a strategic partnership announced earlier this year with Savvy Games Group, a joint venture that brings Roblox’s development tools and support services to the Saudi market. This alliance is intended to lower the technical barriers that traditionally prevent many aspiring developers from creating games, thereby opening the platform to a wider pool of talent. 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.” He emphasized that this effort will help realize the vision for creators throughout Saudi Arabia and dovetail with the Kingdom’s broader creator‑economy objectives under Vision 2030.
Roblox’s expansion is closely tied to the goals of Vision 2030, the Saudi government’s sweeping plan to diversify the nation’s oil‑dependent economy and raise its profile on the global stage. Among the many sectors targeted for growth, video games and esports have been singled out as high‑potential areas. The Kingdom aims to nurture 250 gaming and esports companies and generate roughly 39,000 jobs in the industry by the end of the decade. By establishing a physical presence in Riyadh, Roblox intends to contribute directly to these targets, offering local developers access to its robust suite of creation tools, educational resources, and a global marketplace for publishing their work.
Beyond the immediate business benefits, the new headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for training and mentorship programs. Roblox plans to collaborate with Saudi schools, universities, and vocational institutes to integrate game‑design curricula that teach coding, 3D modeling, and interactive storytelling. These initiatives are designed to equip Saudi youth with the technical skills needed for the digital economy, fostering a pipeline of talent that can feed both local studios and the broader international market.
The partnership with Savvy Games Group also includes plans to localize Roblox’s platform, ensuring that language, cultural references, and regulatory requirements are appropriately addressed for the Saudi audience. This localization effort will involve translating the user interface into Arabic, curating region‑specific content, and implementing parental‑control features that align with local norms.
By making the platform more accessible and culturally relevant, Roblox hopes to attract a larger base of Saudi creators and players, further stimulating the ecosystem. Investors and industry observers view Roblox’s move as a signal that the company sees the MENA region, and Saudi Arabia in particular, as a long‑term growth engine. The Kingdom’s proactive policies, generous incentives for tech firms, and ambitious Vision 2030 roadmap create a fertile environment for companies that specialize in interactive entertainment and user‑generated content.
Roblox’s decision to anchor its regional operations in Riyadh positions it to take advantage of these favorable conditions while also contributing to the Kingdom’s strategic objectives. In practical terms, the Riyadh headquarters will house teams focused on creator support, community engagement, regulatory compliance, and partnership development.
These groups will work closely with local developers to provide technical assistance, run hackathons, and host workshops that showcase best practices in game design and monetization. The office will also serve as a liaison point for government agencies, ensuring that Roblox’s activities align with national policies on data protection, content moderation, and youth protection. Overall, Roblox’s expansion into Saudi Arabia represents a convergence of corporate ambition and national policy. By establishing a dedicated regional hub, the company not only gains a foothold in a rapidly growing market but also contributes to the Kingdom’s vision of a diversified, knowledge‑based economy.
The initiative promises to create new opportunities for Saudi creators, stimulate job creation in the gaming sector, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s emerging reputation as a global hub for digital entertainment.