The video game world is in mourning following the tragic death of Vince Zampella, the legendary co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and head of Respawn Entertainment. The 55-year-old industry veteran was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles on December 22, 2025.
Details of the Tragic Accident
According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred in the mountains north of Los Angeles. Zampella was driving his Ferrari when it veered off the road just after exiting a tunnel, colliding with a concrete barrier. A passenger, who has not been named, was ejected from the vehicle. Zampella was trapped in the ensuing car fire and was later pronounced dead in hospital. The condition of the passenger remains unknown.
A Legacy That Shaped Gaming
Vince Zampella's influence on the first-person shooter genre and the wider games industry is immeasurable. His career began in 1995, and he rose to prominence as development director on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault in 2002. He then co-founded Infinity Ward, where he was instrumental in creating the original Call of Duty in 2003 and oversaw the series up to 2009's Modern Warfare 2.
Following a legal dispute with Activision, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment in partnership with EA. Under his leadership, the studio delivered critical and commercial hits including the Titanfall series, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and the massively popular live-service game Apex Legends.
In a remarkable turn, EA placed him in charge of the Battlefield franchise in January 2020, tasking him with revitalising the series after the troubled launch of Battlefield 2042. His work on the subsequent Battlefield 6 was hailed as a major success, reportedly dethroning Call of Duty in launch sales and becoming the most successful entry in the Battlefield series.
An Industry in Mourning
Tributes have poured in from across the gaming world. Publisher EA released a statement calling his passing "an unimaginable loss," praising him as a "visionary creator" whose legacy "will continue to shape how games are made."
Colleagues and friends shared personal memories on social media. Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, described Zampella as "awesome. A real one – chill, but with a strong will and powerful heart." Former Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin called him an "amazing mentor and friend." Industry host Geoff Keighley remembered him as "a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive."
In its own tribute, Respawn Entertainment stated: "We will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas... Most importantly, he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players."
Vince Zampella is survived by his children. His death marks the loss of one of the most consistently successful and influential figures in modern video game development.
