Call of Duty Co-Creator & Battlefield Head Vince Zampella Dies Aged 55

Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and head of Respawn Entertainment, has died aged 55 in a car crash.

Vince Zampella, the co-creator of Call of Duty and Battlefield head, has tragically died aged 55 in a car accident.

As reported by NBC Los Angeles, the gaming pioneer died in a single car crash while driving his Ferrari on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway. The car veered off the road while exiting a tunnel before hitting a concrete barrier and catching on fire, killing both Zampella and his passenger, according to the California Highway Patrol. The passenger’s identity has not yet been confirmed, nor has the cause of the crash.

An Electric Arts spokesperson described Zampella’s death 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 continues. “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 began his storied career in the 90s as a graphic designer, before working as the lead designer on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. After this, he co-founded Infinity Ward alongside Jason West and Grant Collier, and signed a deal with Activision to create a new first-person shooter, at the time codenamed “MOH Killer.” That project became Call of Duty.

Zampella remained with Infinity Ward as Call of Duty continued on its meteoric rise, up until 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. After a dispute with Activision, he and West were fired and formed Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio is behind titles like Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

After EA acquired Respawn in 2017, Zampella went on to lead the LA branch of DICE, before going on to oversee the Battlefield series in 2021 after the negatively received launch of Battlefield 2042.

During his tenure, he oversaw the release of Battlefield 6, which launched earlier this year. The newest instalment in the franchise sold over seven million copies in the first three days, marking the series’ biggest launch in their history.

Tributes have begun flowing in for the gaming giant. Infinity Ward took to X to share their condolences:

“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.”

The Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley has also shared a tribute to his “dear friend” and “titan of the video game industry” Zampella on X, saying:

“Vince was an extraordinary person — a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great. I saw that up close while writing The Final Hours of Titanfall.”

“I’ll always be deeply grateful that he trusted me to tell the story of the company’s founding. Even when it was difficult or uncomfortable, Vince [Zampella] never wavered in his commitment to honesty and transparency. He believed that the truth mattered, and he was willing to share it with the world. Vince cared deeply about doing the right thing. And even while working inside large organizations, he consistently pushed to put players first — to prioritize the experience, the craft, and the people who played the games.”

“He leaves behind an incredible legacy of work. I’ll miss our dinners and long conversations. And while he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.”

Keighley sums it up pretty perfectly, and reflects what a lot of folks working in the video game industry (or those who just love games) are thinking and feeling right now. Zampella was truly a titan in the industry, having lead, created, and worked on numerous beloved and iconic titles and franchises in his three decades-long career. He leaves behind a lasting legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.