Call Of Duty,, co-creator Vince Zampella killed in car crash
Vince Zampella, the acclaimed video game developer and co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise, has died following a tragic car crash in California.
According to local broadcaster NBC4, Zampella was driving his Ferrari on a scenic road north of Los Angeles on Sunday when the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and burst into flames. The California Highway Patrol said both the driver and a passenger, who was ejected from the vehicle, sustained fatal injuries. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.
Videos shared by witnesses on social media showed the mangled cherry-red Ferrari engulfed in flames along the mountain road shortly after the incident.
Zampella was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern video gaming. His studios were responsible for some of the world’s best-selling titles, and he was credited with redefining the first-person military shooter genre.
Earlier this year, after Battlefield 6 recorded the highest sales in the franchise’s history, Zampella reflected on his success with humility, saying, “We never take moments like this for granted.” Over two decades, the Battlefield series has attracted more than 100 million players worldwide, while Call of Dutycontinues to boast over 100 million active monthly players.
“You have that dream of the game being popular, but I don’t think you’re ever ready for that level of success,” Zampella said in a 2016 interview with gaming site IGN.
Zampella rose to prominence after co-founding Infinity Ward in 2002 and helping launch Call of Duty in 2003. Following Activision’s acquisition of the studio, he later departed under contentious circumstances and went on to establish Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Respawn, which was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017, produced hit franchises including Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series.
At Electronic Arts, Zampella eventually took on leadership of the Battlefield franchise, further cementing his legacy as a pioneer in interactive entertainment.
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“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work,” Electronic Arts said in a statement, describing his influence on the gaming industry as “profound and far-reaching.”
Respawn Entertainment, in a tribute posted on the Battlefield account on X, praised Zampella for his leadership and belief in creative risk-taking, noting that he consistently championed both developers and players.
Washington Post video game reporter Gene Park described Zampella’s work as bold and impactful, saying his games captured deep human emotions such as fear, heroism and sacrifice.
“He really knew how to create stories and experiences that hit at the heart of the human experience,” Park said.
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