Vince Zampella, one of the most influential figures in modern video game development and a co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise, has died in a car crash in the United States at the age of 55. Electronic Arts (EA), where Zampella held a senior executive role, confirmed his death on Monday, describing it as an “unimaginable loss” for the gaming industry.
According to reports from local broadcaster NBC4, Zampella was killed alongside a passenger when his Ferrari crashed on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday afternoon. The California Highway Patrol said the vehicle veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and became engulfed in flames. Authorities did not disclose the cause of the crash or formally identify the victims.
In a statement, EA praised Zampella’s legacy, saying his influence on the video game industry was “profound and far-reaching.” The company described him as a visionary creator whose work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers worldwide.
Zampella’s career spanned more than three decades and left a defining mark on the first-person shooter genre. He co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and helped launch Call of Duty in 2003, a franchise that would grow into one of the most successful in gaming history, selling more than half a billion copies globally and attracting over 100 million monthly active players.
After leaving Activision, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio went on to create critically acclaimed titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series. Respawn was acquired by EA in 2017, further cementing Zampella’s role as a key creative and executive force in the industry.
At EA, Zampella later took on the challenge of revitalising the Battlefield franchise, a longtime competitor to Call of Duty. Under his leadership, the series saw renewed success, with Battlefield 6 setting a new sales record for the franchise earlier this year.
Tributes poured in from across the gaming world following news of his death. Respawn Entertainment called Zampella “a titan and legend of this industry,” noting that his impact would be felt for generations. Video game journalist and Game Awards co-creator Geoff Keighley described him as “a gamer at heart” and a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognise talent and empower creative teams.
While Zampella was responsible for some of the most influential games of the modern era, many in the industry believe his creative journey was far from over. His sudden death has left a deep void in the gaming community, marking the loss of a leader whose work reshaped the landscape of interactive entertainment.
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