Industry legend and co-creator of the Call of Duty series, as well as the founder of Respawn Entertainment, Vince Zampella, is dead at the age of 55 after a car accident in California. His death is not only a shock to his loved ones and fans, friends, and family, but also to the gaming industry as well.
The Incident
On December 21, 2025, Zampella was driving his Ferrari 296 GTS on Angeles Crest Highway when he lost control, strayed off the road, hit the concrete barrier, and burst into flames. Zampella got trapped in the car, which led to his death. The other person in the car was thrown out of the car due to the accident, but this person died in the hospital. There has been confirmation of this accident, and a statement has been released by Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn, referring to this death as an “unimaginable loss.”
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A Career That Defined Generations
Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward back in the early 2000s and was instrumental in starting Call of Duty in 2003, a series that would become a huge success and ranks among the most successful game series of all time. After Infinity Ward, he co-founded Respawn Entertainment and has since worked on titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He is a visionary game developer with a focus on pushing the limits of gameplay and storytelling.
Vince Zampella’s death is a heartbreaking moment for the gaming world. His creative vision transformed the industry, and his legacy will continue to influence future generations of developers and players.
