Tue Dec 23 05:39:00 UTC 2025: Gaming World Mourns Death of Call of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella in Car Crash

LOS ANGELES, CA – Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the blockbuster video game franchise Call of Duty and a leading figure in the gaming industry, has died in a car accident at the age of 55, Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed Monday.

Zampella died Sunday when the Ferrari he was driving veered off Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles and struck a concrete barrier before being engulfed in flames, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Both Zampella, the driver, and a passenger who was ejected from the vehicle, died at the scene. The CHP has not yet determined the cause of the crash and is currently investigating.

Zampella’s career spanned decades and saw him found Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment, the studios behind Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi games. His work is credited with revolutionizing the first-person shooter genre and shaping modern interactive entertainment.

After starting out in the 1990s as a designer on shooter games, he co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and helped launch Call of Duty in 2003. Activision later acquired his studio. He left Activision under contentious circumstances and established Respawn in 2010, which Electronic Arts acquired in 2017.

EA released a statement, saying, “This is an unimaginable loss, and 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.” Respawn also issued a statement praising Zampella’s leadership and his commitment to his teams and players.

Zampella’s most recent success came with Battlefield 6, which set a new sales record for the franchise.

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