What? FLEGA is evolving! You better not press B right now, because we’re over the moon to announce that, starting in January, none other than Natascha Rommens will be joining us. Working as a project manager, she will put her shoulders behind the recently signed FIT partnership, and strengthen our organisation. Welcome, Natascha!

If her name doesn’t ring a bell, it means two things: you should come to international #BelgianGamesIndustry events more often and you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Natascha is no stranger to the Belgian video games community. As a project manager for Flanders DC, she has been happily engaging with local video game companies since the very first Mission San Francisco back in 2017. With a strong suit for everything international, she’s been the backbone of our visits to international trade fairs ever since, both during and after show hours.

When that part of the job went to Flanders Investment & Trade and the support role of Flanders DC shifted from internationalization to coaching, advice and knowledge sharing, Natascha got to engage less with her video game tribe. “I was very proud about what we had achieved with the BelgianGames booths and networking or pitching events. Deep down, I knew it was up to FlT to continue this work, but I also felt a bit sad because I had to hand over my baby.” She knew she’d be back, but she didn’t know exactly when and how.

So, why video games? “This is going to sound very cheesy, but I swear it’s true. I have nothing but respect for people creating video games. These people are so talented! Making video games is extremely hard and even though I feel they have to figure out everything themselves, they know what they’re doing. I’m no coder, artist or designer, but even then I never had to make an effort to feel welcome and appreciated. They’re just a very grateful group of people to work for and I’m happy I get to do this again.”

Given her international track record, it makes sense that Natascha will further develop the internationalization strategy for our local game sector, guarding the KPI’s that have been agreed upon in the FIT partnership agreement. “We’ll have to find our footing as we go, but I’m really looking forward to working with the FLEGA board and with David, as I feel the both of us have a complimentary skill set. I think David was looking for someone he could trust to share his work and I’m honoured to fit this shoe.”

David, FLEGA General Manager, is pleased with Natascha’s arrival: “Natascha is extremely experienced, driven and enthusiastic. She knows our sector well, she’s a fan of our business and a fan of games. Our board members and myself are very happy with her arrival! I can’t wait to push FLEGA forward with the expertise Natascha has to offer.”

Pop quiz for Natascha!

A wise man once said that the best way to get to know a person is by a series of arbitrary quick-fire dilemmas. And who are we to contest the limitless knowledge of anonymous wise men?

• San Francisco or Cologne? “San Francisco. I get my best ideas for gamescom in San Francisco. It allows me to step back, look around, notice the booths are quite hideous, learn from them and do better.”
• Sand or snow? “Snow. I’m not a beach person.”
• Mario or Sonic? “Sonic! That’s probably the wrong answer for some, but ours was a SEGA house and Sonic came with that. I also had a Game Boy so I’ve played Mario, but I just think hedgehogs are cooler.”
• Offline or online? “Offline.”

• Film or tv series? “Shortfilm. I think it’s amazing how filmmakers get to cram an idea or an emotion in a twenty minute experience. I love it.”
• PlayStation or Xbox? “PlayStation… Are these the kind of questions where a wrong answer will haunt me for life?” Only time will tell.
• Wine or beer? “Both. It depends on the occasion and the company :-)”
• David or Goliath? “David. Small but brave!”