Before we plunge further, take a moment to consider: Jean has been in F&B, Fashion, video games development, import and export of rare prized goods and more recently taking up the mantle of fatherhood to his very young child. Many would consider it a grand, personal achievement but Jean shows his respect and groundedness by refuting that words such as "self-made" something can often be a misconception.

"At the end of the day, you meet people who guide you. That's why I think that words like "self taught" is often a big lie. I don't like it. You are lucky to meet mentors. I met my mentors, partners, friends. I learnt a lot with them," said Jean. 

Wise words that perhaps many that found success should take heed of.

A roleplayer at heart

One would find it hard to believe that as someone that had swashbuckled across multiple different countries and markets in Asia would be a huge RPG lover at heart. Some adults will call it a guilty pleasure but Jean; he has made it his business. 

Read the article that goes deeper into Jean’s businesses: https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/into-the-mind-of-jean-curci

He recalls his younger years in France, where he would play games - especially RPGs that mainly came in different languages other than French. 

"There was no internet. There was no place to ask what to do next if you got stuck. You could maybe call two other friends that have the same game but if they don't know either, you're done."

But he kept on trucking. From designing his own choose-your-own-adventure books at very young ages to finally getting into what some would call the holy grail of role playing games that is Dungeons & Dragons - all of which mostly comes in the english language. 

"All my life has been filled with language problems!", said an amused Jean. "Every game I wanted to play, I could not understand it. So, My neighbor who is a French-American, brought home a big red box. He helped with translating and he started DM'ing himself. I got crazy. My first love. My first crush that is Dungeons & Dragons."

He explained how his limitations that indeed restricted him but also spurred on the drive for more; starting out with role playing games, moving onto table top games such as Talisman - a well-known name in the table top scene and the inspiration for Bagan Journey - Myanmar's first ever board game, produced from Jean's own Blue Belu Studios.

"Why not?" - The undeniable truth of the realms

When questioned why he decided to do what he is doing now in Myanmar - he breaks down an old french saying.

"When you really need something, that's when you do the things.....first, there is this need. This urge.That is where success is. When you have a confluence of different sectors, one is a good idea, a good moment, of course. Another is a lot of work. AND the other is the need. You don't think for options. You don't think because there is no choice. You really want this. It gives you a strong drive. It was exactly the same setting up Dagon Dice (Myanmar's first ever RPG club). I wanted a place to play with a few friends. One time here, one time there. And I went - it's been my dream. We can do this. Let's do this. For Blue Belu is the same. We have the team, the people, resources. There are no board game companies in the country. So let's do it. This is how I am; an entrepreneur. I really like to do things especially if I was the first one doing it. It is very exciting."

In regards to Tooj Tales, yet again a project that could be called Myanmar's first legitimately expansive fantasy universe, Jean explains the fated threat that binds him and Myanmar. 

"When I first drew the map for Tooj, I was still living in France. So that was back in the days. And I created this campaign and we played it and so on. When I finally arrived in Myanmar, I've been DMing Dungeons & Dragons and I thought, Let's go back to Tooj. I really liked it. And then I look at the map, saw the similarities and went - Interesting. Let's make this more 'Myanmar'. We modified it and it is now what it is today!"

 

The beacons are lit

While no doubt a lot of ventures by Jeans and his partners were proven to be a success - some entertain doubts on the possible success of what is already a niche in the international scene. Jean was asked to comment on the future and hurdles he is and possibly have to face, especially as his expertise straddles the line between the past and present - physical and digital.

"The future is bright. This next decade will be amazing for Myanmar. I really believe it. Change takes time. People think it happens just like that but no. I believe that 2020 to 2030 will be incredible for Myanmar. 

While the problems - I will be rather unoriginal on this one because it is really the same for all industries in Myanmar. It is extremely difficult to transport things from left to right here outside of the big hubs. For the opening of Yangoods (in Taunggyi, Shan State), it was a year's worth of work to move goods and other places like Monywa or Myitkyina isn't going to be just one year. And payment. There are already some digital payment platforms but it will still be awhile. I'm still waiting for Paypal to get here. It will be here sooner or later. So to sum it up - the major hurdles for us are transportation and digital payment. Once that is solved, the sky's the limit," claimed Jean with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. 

He also mentioned several factors that hinders a nation's growth such as electricity and his solution to our increasing dependence to power and digital gadgets. 

"The same problems that everybody has......But I'm old school. I love the physicality of things. Even if there aren't any electricity, people can still play board games with candles. I love to purchase books. I could get a Kindle (popular e-book reader) but I don't want to get one. My wife always joke about this with me that I'm a caveman. Physicality is a sensual experience.....We made Bagan Journey with wood components. When you touch wood, it is a pleasure. For my son, I prefer to purchase wooden toys for him because it is something primal. It is in our subconscious. Humans have been in contact with woods for like a million years. When a person touches wood, it is getting back in touch with our roots both literally and figuratively. I love board games because it brings people around you. 

It kills me to see people, couples, young people especially, always on their phone at restaurants. Even when ordering their food! I'm really against this. I'm fighting back against this and by that I mean not complaining to them. It's useless to do so. I'll create board games. When you're playing board games, you can't be on Instagram. Otherwise, you'd lose your turn and you're dead.”

Choosing his own adventures

When inquired what the future can expect from Jean's labyrinthian mind of ingenuity and the toil of his teams, he was furtively open with upcoming plans.

"We're working on four games with at least two that will be released this year. We're also working on the Myanmar language version of Bagan Journey which is almost finished. We've been releasing it in English only and we've had many requests. It's logical at the end of the day to release a native tongue version of a game that we're operating in. It wasn't the most easy as it was the first time for everyone involved but we learned a lot. Then there is a yet unannounced game that is coming out very soon. I think it's very good and I'm very excited about this one. At the same time, we're working on the books for Tooj Tales. Also a pitch to get comic books published for it is ready like one week ago. Those are our projects; books, comics, RPGs and with such a small team. We're juggling these projects and we're delivering them. We're definitely here to stay."

Jean goes onto close the interview by saying that it will still take years for the market to mature - for Myanmar to have a sizable enough middle class that will devote their time in getting back to their roots, especially for precious and luxurious time for play. 

However, Jean is calcutively optimistic. Like his favorite DnD monster 'Death Knight' - a force to be reckoned with alone in both might and magic while also controlling hordes of the undead - Jean Curci is an entrepreneur that is an imposing figure, a daunting yet approachable leader that will lead his army of geeks  to the promised land of swords and sorcery in Myanmar.