Veteran video game developer Vince Zampella, best known as the co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has died at age 55 after a single-vehicle crash on the scenic Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles, officials confirmed.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS Zampella was driving veered off the roadway shortly after exiting a tunnel on Sunday afternoon and smashed into a concrete barrier, bursting into flames. Zampella was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger ejected from the vehicle later died at a nearby hospital. No other vehicles were involved and details about the cause of the crash — including whether speed, drugs, or alcohol were factors — remain under investigation.
A Legacy That Defined Modern Shooters
Zampella’s impact on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. He first rose to prominence as a co-founder of Infinity Ward, where his work helped launch the original Call of Duty in 2003 — a franchise that has since sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and become a cornerstone of first-person shooters.
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After departing Infinity Ward amid industry drama, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, which produced acclaimed titles such as Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. In recent years, he also took on leadership of EA’s Battlefield franchise development, guiding the studio behind Battlefield 6.
Industry Tributes Pour In
Electronic Arts — which acquired Respawn in 2017 — released a statement mourning Zampella’s “profound and far-reaching” influence on interactive entertainment and praising him as a visionary leader whose work inspired millions of players and developers around the world.
Peers and gamers have also taken to social platforms to express their grief and respect, highlighting Zampella’s role in shaping Call of Duty into a global phenomenon and helping to redefine competitive and narrative gaming experiences.
Call of Duty Co-Creator and Respawn Entertainment Founder, Vince Zampella Dies at 55 in Deadly Los Angeles Crest Highway Car Crash. pic.twitter.com/ymy13BGBcd
— My1stAmerica (@My1stAmerica) December 23, 2025
Remembering a Creative Force
Born in 1970, Zampella’s career spanned more than two decades and fundamentally shaped the landscape of shooter games. From his early work on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault to building some of the biggest gaming franchises of the 21st century, his innovations influenced both game design and gamer culture worldwide.
The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with many remembering him as a legendary creative force whose contributions will endure for generations.
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