Amongst the Somali tech and gaming community and across the globe, the name Izmail Zaed stands out as one of the only champion names despite the technology that connects creation and reality in the future. After a journey of over a decade long, Izmail has paved a way as the first Somali man to make 3D games as well as become adept in face-making for games — an accomplishment that has motivated young creatives across the Horn of Africa and beyond.

A Somali Game Development Pioneer

Izmail Zaed began his journey in the video game development community more than 10 years ago, with a passion for developing digital art, coding, and storytelling. He began at a time when Somalia had little or no representation in the global gaming community and Izmail dared to dream.

Through self-learning, countless practice, and a sense of community, he developed 3D games from abstract ideas to complete flourishes with sustainable environments and gaming mechanics embodying realism. He incorporated Somali culture and style, making his games not just fun, but culturally immersive.

As one of Izmail’s key benefits, are his skills and expertise in face-making for games, particularly in popular football video games including

16 Elite Skills included after Ten (10) Years of Development

Izmail Zaed’s excellence is built off of a unique skillset built over time. Here are 16 essential skills he has mastered:

3D Game Development (Unity, Unreal Engine)

Face-Making & Player Modding

2D & 3D Character Design

Animation & Rigging

Texture & UV Mapping

Environment Design

Game Scripting (C#, C++, Python)

Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React)

Mobile Game Development

Blender & Maya Modelling

Soundtrack Creation and Editing

UI/UX Design for Games

Multiplayer Game Setup

Cross-Platform Compatibility Optimisation

YouTube Content Creation (Tutorials, Game Modification Videos)

Somali culture into games

More Than A Developer

Izmail is more than a developer and creator, but a hero and role model. His journey has now become a blueprint for young Somali creatives who would like to navigate the world of tech, gaming and digital arts. Through tutorials, social re-creation, and other avenues of visibility, Izmail continues to empower budding creators.

Legacy in Progress

As Izmail Zaed continues to create, innovate, and influence, his story remains a testament to passion, skill, and cultural pride amongst creative industries. As he is a pioneer, creator, and educator– he has consolidated his position as a national icon within Somali tech history.

He enabled Somalis to see themselves in the games that they have loved always — something that has never been done before.

Architect of the First Somali Game Patch
Before others in the Somali community, Izmail created the first Somali patch for PES and FIFA games. These patches allowed players to:

Play Somali teams in career mode

Utilize custom Somaliland leagues

Play with updated kits including player faces

Experience Somaliland flags, emblems, and graphics in-game

This work provided more than just entertainment — it inspired. It provided Somali youth pride, visibility, and motivation to enter the world of gaming, coding, and design.

From Hargeisa, to the World

From Hargeisa’s streets, to the screens of gamers around the world, Izmail Zaed is more than just a developer — he is history in motion. As the first Somali to develop 3D games, develop face mods, and add a Somali teams to major global football games, he has made his mark, and one that cannot be erased.

Izmail Zaed has risen — and a new era for Somali gamers and developers has risen with him.