Vince Zampella, Creator of Call of Duty and Leader of Respawn and Battlefield, Passes Away

Key Takeaways

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Vince Zampella, a significant figure in the video game industry, passed away in a car accident at the age of 55.
Known for creating iconic series like Call of Duty and co-founding Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment, Zampellas career spanned nearly three decades.
After being let go by Activision, he founded Respawn Entertainment and was later involved in a lawsuit seeking one billion dollars in damages.
His impact on the industry extended to his work with Electronic Arts Battlefield franchise, taking over in 2021 and contributing to the release of Battlefield 6 this year.

Vince Zampella, Game Industry Pioneer and Call of Duty Creator, Dies in Car Accident at 55

Vince Zampella, a major figure in the video game industry and the creative force behind several iconic series, died at 55 in a car accident on December 21, 2025. The accident occurred on Angeles Crest Highway when his 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. Authorities confirmed that Zampella and one other person in the vehicle died. It is currently unknown who was driving at the time of the accident. His company and colleagues announced Zampella’s death on social media, prompting tributes from gamers, developers, and companies alike. Electronic Arts also confirmed his death in a statement to Polygon.

Pioneering Game Creator Vince Zampella’s Career Impact: Call of Duty, Respawn, Battlefield, and More

Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Zampella left an indelible mark on first-person shooter and action-adventure games. He co-founded Infinity Ward, where he helped create the groundbreaking Call of Duty franchise. After being let go by Activision, Zampella and Jason West founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Respawn is known for titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Notably, Zampella had also filed a lawsuit against Activision for unpaid earnings, seeking one billion dollars in damages. In 2021, Zampella took over Electronic Arts’ Battlefield franchise; DICE and Battlefield Studios released Battlefield 6 this year. Known for his enthusiasm and passion, Zampella’s contributions touched millions of lives through video games.

In Case You Missed It

While we’re discussing the thrilling world of Apex Legends, you might want to check out Marcus Thompson’s latest piece, “Apex Legends: Amped – Reimagined Olympus”, published on October 30th. In this insightful article, Marcus delves into Respawn Entertainment’s upcoming update, Amped, slated for November release. This major overhaul promises enhanced speed and verticality with a revamped Olympus map featuring new zones like Somers University and Dockyard. Legends Valkyrie, Rampart, and Horizon receive significant changes to boost their mobility and combat options. Plus, expect the Double Tap Hop-Up for the Alternator weapon and improvements to movement mechanics Apex Legends: Amped – Reimagined Olympus. However, in a tragic turn of events, the gaming community lost one of its visionaries last week. Vince Zampella, the mastermind behind Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Apex Legends, passed away in a car accident on December 21st. Ahmed Hassan pays tribute to Zampella’s influential career in his latest piece, “Vince Zampella Dies in Car Accident; Creator of Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends”. Published just yesterday, the article delves into Zampella’s groundbreaking contributions to military FPS gaming and his lasting impact on the industry Vince Zampella Dies in Car Accident; Creator of Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends. Before we sign off, Sophie Laurent recently published ‘URGENT: Vince Zampella, Creator of Call of Duty and Respawn, Dies at 55’ on December 22nd. This insightful piece delves into the life and legacy of Vince Zampella through interviews with colleagues and tributes from fans URGENT: Vince Zampella, Creator of Call of Duty and Respawn, Dies at 55.