Vince Zampella, a prominent game developer and co-creator of the Call of Duty series, has died at age 55 in a single-vehicle car crash. The accident occurred on Sunday and also claimed the life of another unnamed person. Zampella's career shaped major first-person shooter franchises through his work at Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment.
Vince Zampella, known for his pivotal role in the gaming industry, passed away on Sunday in a single-vehicle car crash reported by Los Angeles news channel NBC4. The 55-year-old developer was traveling with one other unnamed person who also perished in the incident.
Zampella's career began with the founding of Infinity Ward, where he co-created the Call of Duty series. He stayed with the studio through the launch of its initial successful installments, establishing the franchise as a cornerstone of first-person shooter gaming. In 2010, following his departure from Infinity Ward, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment. This studio developed acclaimed titles including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, and Apex Legends. Electronic Arts acquired Respawn, integrating it into its portfolio.
More recently, Zampella led DICE's Los Angeles studio and oversaw the Battlefield franchise. Battlefield 6, the latest entry, launched earlier in 2025.
Electronic Arts issued a statement mourning his loss: “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. 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 contributions have left a lasting impact on interactive entertainment, influencing developers and players globally.
