Vince Zampella, the acclaimed co-creator of the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and one of the most influential figures in modern video gaming, has died in a car crash in Los Angeles, Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed on Monday. He was 55.
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According to local broadcaster NBC4, Zampella was driving his Ferrari on a scenic mountain road north of Los Angeles on Sunday when the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and burst into flames. The California Highway Patrol said both the driver and a passenger, who was ejected from the vehicle, died from their injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
VIDEO: Vince Zampella, co-creator behind the Call of Duty video game franchise, killed in car crash near Los Angeles
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Zampella was widely regarded as a visionary in first-person shooter games, helping shape a genre that has defined modern interactive entertainment. He co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and played a key role in launching Call of Duty in 2003, a franchise that has since grown into one of the most successful in gaming history, boasting more than 100 million active monthly players.
After leaving Activision, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, which went on to produce critically acclaimed titles including Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. Electronic Arts acquired Respawn in 2017, and Zampella later took on a leadership role overseeing the revival of EA’s Battlefield franchise.
Earlier this year, following record-breaking sales of Battlefield 6, Zampella said success was something he never took for granted despite decades in the industry. “You have that dream of the game being popular, but you’re never really ready for that level of success,” he told IGN in a 2016 interview.
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In a statement, EA called his death an “unimaginable loss,” praising his “profound and far-reaching” influence on gaming. Respawn Entertainment also paid tribute, describing Zampella as a leader who trusted his teams, encouraged bold ideas and always prioritised players.