Vince Zampella, the legendary co-creator of Call of Duty and a key figure behind some of the biggest games of the past two decades, has died at the age of 55 in a fatal car crash in California. His passing was confirmed by Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, the studio he co-founded.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains. Zampella was driving a high-performance Ferrari when the car veered off the road, hit a concrete barrier, and caught fire.
Both Zampella and the passenger died from their injuries. Authorities said the passenger was ejected from the vehicle while Zampella remained trapped inside. It remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role, and the identity of the passenger has not been released.
Electronic Arts issued a statement expressing shock and grief: “This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work.”
Vince Zampella cause of death sparks tributes
Vince Zampella, along with Jason West and Grant Collier, co-created the Call of Duty franchise in 2003, inspired in part by World War II. The series went on to sell over 500 million copies, becoming one of the most profitable entertainment franchises in history.
He also played a key role in developing Medal of Honor, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series, earning a reputation for prioritizing players in his game designs.
After a high-profile split from Activision in 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment, which was acquired by EA in 2017. Infinity Ward, the original Call of Duty studio, paid tribute on X, saying, “Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable.”
Zampella’s sudden death has left a deep void in the gaming world, with colleagues, studios, and fans around the globe mourning the loss of a visionary who transformed modern video gaming.
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