Vince Zampella, a towering name in the global video game industry and one of the creative minds behind the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, has died after being involved in a car accident, U.S. media have reported.
According to NBC4, the incident occurred on Sunday as Zampella was driving his Ferrari on a scenic road north of Los Angeles. He was pronounced dead following the crash. Throughout his career, the studios under his leadership produced several of the best-selling and most influential video games in history.
Zampella first gained worldwide recognition as a co-creator of Call of Duty and later as the founder of Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind major titles including Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series.
He entered the gaming industry in the 1990s, working as a designer on first-person shooter games before co-founding Infinity Ward in 2002. The studio released the original Call of Duty in 2003, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most successful franchises ever created. Infinity Ward was later acquired by Activision.
After a highly publicised departure from Activision, Zampella went on to establish Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio quickly earned praise for its innovative gameplay and strong storytelling, achievements that led to its acquisition by Electronic Arts in 2017.
During his time at EA, Zampella also played a key role in efforts to rejuvenate the Battlefield franchise, further cementing his reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern first-person shooter development.
