Call of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella Dies in Tragic Los Angeles Car Crash at 55
The gaming world is in mourning following the confirmation that Vince Zampella, the visionary co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Zampella, a titan of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, was involved in a high-speed vehicle accident in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. He was 55 years old.
The news was confirmed by Electronic Arts (EA) on Monday, sparking a massive outpouring of grief from colleagues, industry leaders, and millions of fans who grew up playing his era-defining titles.
The Accident: What We Know So Far
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local broadcaster NBC4, the accident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time on the Angeles Crest Highway.
Zampella was reportedly driving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS when the vehicle exited a tunnel at high speed. For reasons still under investigation, the car veered off the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. The impact caused the luxury sports car to become “fully engulfed” in flames.
Officials confirmed that two people were in the vehicle:
- The Driver (identified as Zampella): Remained trapped inside the vehicle and died at the scene.
- The Passenger: Was ejected from the car upon impact and was transported to a nearby hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Footage of the crash aftermath, which has circulated on social media, shows the mangled, cherry-red wreckage consumed by fire on the scenic mountain road. The CHP has not yet confirmed whether mechanical failure or driver error played a role, though speed is believed to be a significant factor.
A Legacy That Defined Modern Gaming
Vince Zampella’s career wasn’t just successful; it was foundational. He was the architect of the modern military shooter, a sub-genre that now dominates the multi-billion dollar video game industry.
The Birth of Call of Duty
In 2002, Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward alongside Jason West and Grant Collier. Just a year later, they released the original Call of Duty. While it began as a World War II simulator, Zampella’s direction eventually led to the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007). This single title fundamentally changed online multiplayer gaming, introducing “killstreaks,” “perks,” and a cinematic narrative style that became the industry gold standard.
To date, the Call of Duty franchise has sold over 500 million copies, making it one of the most profitable entertainment properties in history, now owned by Microsoft following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The Respawn Revolution
Following a high-profile legal battle and departure from Activision in 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment. Under his leadership, the studio broke new ground with:
- Titanfall: A high-mobility “mech” shooter that redefined movement in FPS games.
- Apex Legends: A surprise-launch battle royale that remains one of the most played games globally with over 100 million active users.
- Star Wars Jedi Series: Fallen Order and Survivor proved Zampella’s Midas touch extended to third-person action-adventure titles.
The Battlefield Era
Most recently, Zampella had been tasked by Electronic Arts to oversee the Battlefield franchise. His influence was already being felt; Battlefield 6, released in late 2025, had just set new sales records for the series, with Zampella credited for “righting the ship” and returning the franchise to its roots.
Industry Reactions
The tragedy has left a void in the creative community. Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards and a close personal friend, shared a poignant tribute on X:
“Vince was a visionary executive who never wavered in his commitment to honesty and transparency. 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.”
Electronic Arts released a formal statement calling his death an “unimaginable loss”: “Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment.”
Vince Zampella’s Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement | Studio |
| 2002 | Co-founded Infinity Ward | Infinity Ward |
| 2003 | Launched Call of Duty | Infinity Ward |
| 2007 | Released Modern Warfare | Infinity Ward |
| 2010 | Founded Respawn Entertainment | Respawn |
| 2014 | Released Titanfall | Respawn |
| 2019 | Launched Apex Legends & Star Wars Jedi | Respawn |
| 2021 | Appointed Head of Battlefield Franchise | EA / Ripple Effect |
| 2025 | Battlefield 6 sets series sales record | EA |
The Road Ahead
Zampella is survived by his three children. As the gaming community processes this loss, questions remain about the future of the projects he was spearheading, including the next generation of Battlefield and the third installment of the Star Wars Jedi series.
His legacy, however, is secured. From the “All Ghillied Up” mission in Modern Warfare to the frantic slides and zip-lines of Apex Legends, Vince Zampella didn’t just make games—he made memories for an entire generation of players.
