Roblox has revealed that it will establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the explicit aim of bolstering its creator‑focused program 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 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 reflects a deep, long‑term commitment to the Kingdom’s digital‑economy agenda, particularly the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.
“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,” El Sheakh said. He added that the new office will build on existing collaborations in education, creator development, and the broader gaming ecosystem, and that Roblox intends to fund programs that help Saudi Arabia evolve into a worldwide gaming hub.
The Riyadh office will serve as a central point for nurturing local talent, providing training, and offering technical resources to aspiring developers. By creating a physical presence, Roblox hopes to lower the barriers that often prevent newcomers from entering the game‑development space, a goal that aligns closely with the Kingdom’s push to diversify its economy away from oil dependency. Earlier this year, Roblox entered into a strategic partnership with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi‑based entity focused on expanding the country’s gaming infrastructure. That collaboration introduced Roblox’s suite of development tools and support services to local studios, allowing them to create immersive experiences on the Roblox platform.
Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki described the partnership as a way 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 would help realize a broader vision for Saudi creators and dovetail with the growth of the Kingdom’s creator ecosystem under Vision 2030. Baszucki also highlighted the importance of investing in high‑quality, educational opportunities for the next generation of Saudis, stating that such investments would directly contribute to the rapid expansion of the nation’s digital economy. The partnership with Savvy Games Group, combined with the new Riyadh headquarters, signals Roblox’s intent to be more than just a platform—it aims to become an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic transformation.
Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s flagship development blueprint, seeks to diversify economic activity, foster innovation, and elevate the country’s global standing. Within this framework, the gaming sector has been identified as a high‑potential growth area. The government has set ambitious targets, including the establishment of 250 video‑game and esports companies and the creation of roughly 39,000 jobs in the sector by the end of the decade.
Roblox’s expanded footprint directly supports these objectives by providing a ready‑made ecosystem for game creators, educators, and entrepreneurs to collaborate, experiment, and commercialize their ideas. Beyond job creation, Roblox’s presence is expected to stimulate ancillary industries such as digital art, music production, and virtual event planning.
The platform’s emphasis on user‑generated content means that local creators can monetize their work, attract sponsorships, and even launch independent studios that may later partner with larger publishers. This ripple effect aligns with the broader goals of Vision 2030 to nurture a knowledge‑based economy and position Saudi Arabia as a hub for cutting‑edge technology and entertainment. Roblox also plans to launch a series of educational initiatives in partnership with Saudi schools, universities, and vocational institutes. These programs will teach coding, 3D modeling, and game design fundamentals using Roblox’s own development environment.
By integrating these curricula into formal education, the company hopes to equip young Saudis with market‑ready skills that are directly applicable to the burgeoning local gaming market. In addition, the Riyadh headquarters will host regular community events, hackathons, and creator summits, providing networking opportunities for developers, investors, and policymakers.
Such gatherings are intended to foster a collaborative ecosystem where ideas can be exchanged, partnerships forged, and innovative projects accelerated. Overall, Roblox’s decision to set up a regional hub in Saudi Arabia underscores a strategic alignment with the Kingdom’s long‑term vision for a diversified, technology‑driven economy. By offering tools, training, and investment, the company aims to empower a new generation of creators, stimulate job growth, and help position Saudi Arabia as a leading player in the global gaming landscape. The initiative represents a significant step toward realizing Vision 2030’s objectives and signals a promising future for the MENA region’s digital creative community.