Call of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella Dies in California Car Crash at 55

Vince Zampella, the influential video game developer who co-created the globally successful Call of Duty franchise, has died in a car crash in California. He was 55. His death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, a studio Zampella co-founded and led.

 

Video Surfaces Showing Dramatic Moments of Ferrari Crash That Killed Call of Duty Creator Vince Zampella https://t.co/vPM7UGLwmx pic.twitter.com/2ha48g5pH9

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According to authorities, the crash occurred on a highway in Los Angeles on Sunday when a Ferrari carrying two people veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. The California Highway Patrol said the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames following the impact. Both occupants of the car were killed. Officials said one person was ejected from the passenger seat, while the driver remained trapped inside the vehicle. It remains unclear whether Zampella was driving and the identity of the second person has not been released.

Electronic Arts described Zampella’s death as a profound loss to the industry. In a statement, the company said the tragedy was “an unimaginable loss” and extended condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues who were influenced by his work.

Zampella was best known as a co-creator of Call of Duty, which he developed alongside long-time collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier in 2003. The franchise, initially inspired by World War II combat, went on to become one of the most commercially successful video game series in history, selling more than 500 million copies worldwide. It helped transform Activision into one of the most profitable gaming companies and later expanded into other media, including an upcoming live-action film.

Beyond Call of Duty, Zampella played a central role in shaping several other major franchises. His work included the Medal of Honor series, as well as Titanfall and Apex Legends, both developed under Respawn Entertainment and widely praised for their gameplay innovation and player-focused design.

Tributes from across the gaming industry followed news of his death. Journalist and Game Awards host Geoff Keighley described Zampella as a close friend and a visionary executive, praising his commitment to honesty and transparency. Keighley said Zampella created some of the most influential games of the modern era and expressed heartbreak that his future work would never be realized.

Others highlighted Zampella’s focus on players rather than trends or commercial pressure. Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian, said Zampella cared deeply about how people felt when playing games and that this philosophy was evident in both his work and personal interactions.

Zampella’s career also included public conflict. In 2010, he and Jason West were dismissed from Activision, leading to a high-profile legal dispute over control and compensation related to Call of Duty. The case was settled out of court in 2012. He later joined Electronic Arts, where he worked on Battlefield 6, positioning it as a direct competitor to Call of Duty.

Infinity Ward, the studio that developed Call of Duty, issued a statement honoring Zampella’s legacy, saying he would always hold a special place in the company’s history and that his impact on interactive entertainment was immeasurable.

Infinity Ward said: “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.”

Zampella’s death marks the loss of one of the most influential creative leaders in modern video game history, whose work helped define an era of blockbuster gaming and shaped how millions of players experience interactive entertainment.