Roblox has disclosed that it will set up a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, a step aimed at strengthening its creator ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement, which was highlighted by Pocket Gamer, notes that the venture 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 Turkey, explained that the decision to locate the hub in Riyadh signals a deep, long‑term commitment to the Kingdom’s digital‑economy agenda, particularly the objectives 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 the company plans to build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, with the goal of delivering programs that help Saudi Arabia evolve into a worldwide gaming hub.
The Riyadh office will serve as a central node for a variety of initiatives, ranging from talent‑development workshops and school‑based coding curricula to incubator programs for independent game makers. By providing local creators with direct access to Roblox’s development tools, mentorship, and funding opportunities, the company hopes to lower the barriers that traditionally prevent aspiring developers from entering the industry. This aligns with a broader partnership that Roblox announced earlier in the year with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based entity that is tasked with integrating Roblox’s technology stack into the region’s gaming infrastructure.
Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s chief executive officer, described the Savvy Games Group collaboration as a catalyst for democratizing game creation. “We want to enable anyone, anywhere, to become a creator by lowering the technical barriers that have historically made game development an exclusive field,” Baszucki explained.
He emphasized that the partnership will help realize a shared vision for Saudi creators and will dovetail with the Kingdom’s ambition to nurture a vibrant creator ecosystem as part of Vision 2030. Roblox’s expansion is more than a corporate relocation; it is part of a larger economic diversification strategy championed by the Saudi government. Vision 2030 seeks to reduce the nation’s reliance on oil revenues by fostering growth in sectors such as entertainment, technology, and tourism. Within this framework, the gaming industry is identified as a high‑potential area that can generate jobs, stimulate innovation, and enhance the country’s cultural footprint on the global stage.
According to the plan outlined by Saudi officials, the gaming sector is expected to host roughly 250 game development and esports companies by the end of the decade, creating an estimated 39,000 new jobs. Roblox’s presence in Riyadh is intended to accelerate these targets by providing a proven platform for user‑generated content, a robust marketplace for virtual goods, and a suite of educational resources that can be integrated into school curricula.
In practical terms, the new headquarters will house a team of product managers, community specialists, and education partners who will work closely with local schools, universities, and private training centers. These teams will design curricula that teach coding, 3D modeling, and game design using Roblox Studio, the company’s proprietary development environment. By embedding these skills early in the education pipeline, Roblox aims to cultivate a generation of Saudi developers who can contribute to both domestic projects and the broader global Roblox ecosystem. Beyond education, the Riyadh hub will also coordinate regional events such as creator summits, hackathons, and esports tournaments.
These gatherings are expected to showcase homegrown talent, attract investment from venture capital firms, and provide networking opportunities that link Saudi creators with international partners. The company plans to allocate a portion of its regional budget to sponsor prize pools, mentorship sessions, and marketing campaigns that spotlight successful local games. Roblox’s strategy mirrors a global trend where major tech platforms are establishing localized operations to better serve emerging markets.
By situating its headquarters in Riyadh, Roblox can respond more swiftly to cultural nuances, regulatory requirements, and language preferences, ensuring that its platform remains relevant and compliant within the Saudi context. Overall, the move underscores Roblox’s belief that investing in high‑quality, educational experiences for Saudi youth will not only enrich the Kingdom’s digital economy but also position the country as a leading player in the international gaming arena. As Vision 2030 continues to unfold, the partnership between Roblox, Savvy Games Group, and Saudi governmental bodies is poised to create a lasting impact on the region’s creative and economic landscape.