Zampella was killed on Sunday when a Ferrari carrying two people veered off a highway in Los Angeles, struck a concrete barrier and burst into flames, according to the California Highway Patrol. Both occupants of the vehicle died at the scene. Officials said the passenger was ejected during the crash while the driver remained trapped inside the burning car. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Zampella was driving or identified the second person involved.
Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment — the studio Zampella co-founded — confirmed his death and paid tribute to his legacy. “This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work,” an EA spokesperson said in a statement to the BBC.
The California Highway Patrol said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. “For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed,” the agency said.
Zampella rose to global prominence in 2003 when he co-created Call of Duty alongside long-time collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier. Inspired in part by World War II, the franchise went on to become one of the most commercially successful in entertainment history, selling more than 500 million copies worldwide. Its success transformed publisher Activision — now owned by Microsoft — into one of the most profitable companies in the gaming industry and led to plans for a live-action film adaptation.
Beyond Call of Duty, Zampella left an indelible mark on modern gaming through his work on other major franchises, including Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends. Colleagues and industry observers consistently credited him with prioritizing player experience and innovation. Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian, told BBC Newshour that Zampella “really cared about how people felt when they played,” a philosophy that shaped his creative output.
In 2010, Zampella and West were fired from Activision, triggering a high-profile legal dispute that was ultimately settled out of court in 2012. He later joined Electronic Arts, where he played a key role in overseeing development of Battlefield 6, widely viewed as a direct rival to Call of Duty.
Infinity Ward, the studio that developed Call of Duty, also issued a tribute, saying Zampella “will always have a special place in our history” and praising his legacy of creating “iconic, lasting entertainment.”
Zampella’s sudden death marks a profound loss for the global gaming community. As one of the architects of modern first-person shooters, his influence reshaped the industry and defined an era of interactive entertainment — a legacy that will endure long after his passing.
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