Vince Zampella, a towering figure in modern video games and a co-creator of the Call of Duty series, has died aged 55 after a single-vehicle crash on Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California. Authorities said the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the Ferrari he was driving left the road just after exiting a tunnel, struck a concrete barrier and caught fire. Zampella was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger later died in hospital.The collision was reported shortly before 12:45 pm in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators said the southbound Ferrari veered off the winding two-lane road moments after exiting a tunnel. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and officials said the investigation is ongoing.Zampella was best known as the former chief executive of Infinity Ward, the studio behind Call of Duty. After co-founding Infinity Ward in 2002, he helped shape the franchise’s most influential entries, including Modern Warfare (2007) and Modern Warfare 2 (2009), titles widely credited with redefining first-person shooters and online multiplayer. In 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment, which was later acquired by Electronic Arts. As head of Respawn, he oversaw the creation of Titanfall, Titanfall 2, the battle-royale hit Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He also led EA’s teams working on the long-running Battlefield series in recent years.EA described Zampella’s impact as “profound and far-reaching”, calling him a visionary creator whose work shaped modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers worldwide. Colleagues and critics alike praised his creative leadership, humility and focus on player experience.Across more than three decades in games, Zampella helped define the look, feel and business of blockbuster shooters. From Call of Duty’s cinematic warfare to Respawn’s fluid movement and storytelling, his influence is woven through some of the medium’s most successful franchises. As tributes continue to pour in, the industry is reflecting on a legacy that will continue to shape how games are made and played for years to come.
