The video game world is mourning the sudden death of Vince Zampella at age 55, the co-creator of Call Of Duty, founder of Respawn Entertainment, and head of the Battlefield franchise.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Zampella died in a single vehicle car crash on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway, the incident occurred as his Ferrari exited a tunnel, veering off the road before striking a concrete barrier and catching fire.
Zampella and a passenger were both killed, authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the passenger, nor the cause of the crash.
In a statement, an Electronic Arts spokesperson described Zampella’s passing as an ‘unimaginable loss’.
‘Our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching,’ the statement read. ‘A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.’
Zampella’s career began in the 1990s as a graphic designer before he became lead designer on Medal Of Honor: Allied Assault, he later co-founded Infinity Ward alongside Jason West and Grant Collier, signing with Activision to develop a new shooter initially codenamed MOH Killer. That project became Call Of Duty.
He remained with Infinity Ward through the franchise’s rapid rise until 2009’s Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. After a dispute with Activision, Zampella and West were fired and went on to form Respawn Entertainment in 2010, creating titles including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Following EA’s acquisition of Respawn in 2017, Zampella assumed leadership roles across the publisher, eventually taking over the Battlefield franchise in 2021 after the troubled launch of Battlefield 2042. Under his direction, Battlefield 6 launched earlier this year, selling over seven million copies in its first three days, the biggest debut in the series’ history.
Tributes
Tributes have poured in across the industry. Infinity Ward wrote:
‘Rest in peace Vince. As one of the founders of Infinity Ward and Call of Duty, you will always have a special place in our history. Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable. Our deepest condolences to Vince’s family and loved ones upon this terrible tragedy.’
Geoff Keighley also shared a tribute, calling Zampella a ‘titan of the video game industry’ and praising his commitment to honesty, creativity, and putting players first.
Zampella leaves behind a legacy that reshaped modern gaming, and an influence that will be felt long after the credits roll.
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