FIVE years ago, as Jamaica’s media landscape shifted in the age of virality, COVID-19, smartphones, and social media, Kingston-born game developer O’neil “iShac” Harris, now 54, saw a unique opportunity. A lifelong tinkerer, self-taught electronics enthusiast, and veteran of TV production, Harris decided it was time to pivot from his commercial work and pursue interactive games that get people moving and thinking together.

His journey did not begin in a classroom. Harris’s higher education came from forums, hands-on repairs, and relentless curiosity.

“My family couldn’t afford college so that was out of the question for me. I knew right off the bat I had to get a job,” he shared. He maintained taxi radio systems, worked in telecommunications, and learned video production from the ground up at JBC (now TVJ), simply by hanging around and absorbing everything he could. After his time at JBC, he joined Stage Video, owned by the Fabulous Five (Fab 5) band, where he worked as a video editor. During this period, he also operated an electronics repair shop, servicing musical instruments such as synthesisers, amplifiers, and drum machines for Fab 5 and various local bands.

In an early foray into the phygital space in 2014, iShac automated two exhibits at the newly renovated Bob Marley Museum. Then in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the Jamaican film industry, he was tapped to work on a cultural project for Red Stripe, creating unique interactive museum exhibits. To develop the logic for these interactive elements, he scoured YouTube for tutorials and taught himself coding, building prototypes from scraps at his workbench. The museum project was ultimately shelved, but iShac’s interest in phygital experiences was ignited.

“I was trying to get questions answered using forums and even hired people in places like India. My curiosity led me to build small projects and tabletop games, and from that it expanded,” he recalled.

Harris wanted to create something that would get people up, active, and engaged with each other face-to-face. “Seeing people having their heads down on the phone all the time sparked my interest.” His first games were small, breadboard-based prototypes, but his vision quickly expanded to large-scale interactive installations for public spaces and community events.

Today, Harris’s workshop has produced five official electronic games: MemorySprint, LightStriker, SmackDat, Catch&Stack, and electronic Tic Tac Toe. Each game blends physical movement with cognitive challenge.

“I’m always adjusting the games based on who’s playing. I realised adults tend to love the ones where you catch or react quickly because it promotes communication and friendly competition,” he said.

MemorySprint pushes players to memorise and replicate patterns under time pressure. LightStriker mimics tennis or ping-pong, using footpads and light strips to test reflexes. SmackDat channels the spirit of “whack-a-mole”, rewarding precision and speed.

The games have become a hit at local events, including a weekly games night at Jangas Soundbar and Grill, featuring brands such as Heineken. They draw crowds that spark friendly rivalries. Harris has seen his creations played hundreds of times in a single session, with participants challenging their reflexes and each other.

“I installed a tracking system and saw numbers like three hundred people playing one game. That showed me its value for entertainment,” Harris stated. Viral TikTok videos have carried his work to wider audiences, hinting at the potential for even greater reach.

However, Harris’s ambitions extend past entertainment. He envisions interactive public parks across Jamaica, where people can connect, compete, and learn together, away from their screens.

“If I can create a tech space in some communities, that’s one of my dreams. An environment that is attractive and interactive, where people have something else to do” he said. For Harris, these games serve as tools for community-building and skill development.

Financial constraints persist. Building durable, public-ready installations is costly, and Harris is always searching for partners who share his vision.

“The biggest challenge is finding a way to roll the games out economically, so people can afford to rent and use them. The key thing is to partner with the right people who can help move it forward,” he acknowledged. He continues to refine his designs with each prototype and playtest, learning from the feedback of players young and old.

Reflecting on his journey, Harris wishes he had approached business more seriously earlier.

“Take money and business seriously. I should have done it earlier on, but the creative side took over. Still, I’m comfortable with where I’m at,” he admitted. He expresses no regrets about his creative path.

“If I can light up one space or get people moving and learning together, I’ve done something good for Jamaica.”

Sharing knowledge and inspiring others, especially the next generation, remains at the heart of his mission.

Harris’s story illustrates the impact of resourcefulness and practical learning. Through persistent work, curiosity, and a commitment to community needs, he continues to develop new pathways for play, learning, and interaction in Jamaica’s evolving digital society.

Oneil Harris interacts with one of his inventions.

Game designer Oneil “iShac”Harris brings hands-on ingenuity to Jangas Soundbar & Grill, showcasing his work on Monday Games night.