Vince Zampella, the veteran game developer whose work helped define the modern first-person shooter genre, has died following a car accident in Los Angeles. He was 55.
According to local news channel NBC4, Zampella was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday. One other person was also killed in the incident. No further details about the accident were immediately released.
Zampella’s career spanned decades and shaped some of the most successful and influential shooter franchises in video game history. He was a co-founder of Infinity Ward, the studio behind the original Call of Duty series, and played a central role in creating the franchise that would go on to become one of the most commercially successful in entertainment. Zampella remained at Infinity Ward through the launch of the series’ early entries, which helped establish Call of Duty as a cultural and commercial powerhouse.
In 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment, a studio that quickly earned critical acclaim for Titanfall and Titanfall 2. Respawn later found massive mainstream success with Apex Legends, a battle royale shooter that became one of the most-played games in the world. Respawn was eventually acquired by Electronic Arts, where Zampella continued to take on leadership roles across the publisher’s shooter portfolio.
Most recently, Zampella was leading DICE’s Los Angeles studio and overseeing the Battlefield franchise. Battlefield 6, the latest entry in the long-running series, launched earlier this year, marking another milestone in a career defined by genre-defining titles and large-scale multiplayer experiences.
Electronic Arts confirmed Zampella’s death and paid tribute to his impact on the industry. In a statement, the company described his passing as an “unimaginable loss” and praised his influence as a creator, leader, and visionary. EA said Zampella’s work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers worldwide.
Zampella was widely respected not only for the games he helped create, but also for his leadership and creative instincts. His studios consistently pushed technical boundaries and redefined expectations around multiplayer shooters, progression systems, and live service games.
Incident details
The incident took place on a Los Angeles highway on Sunday. Zampella was travelling in a Ferrari with one other person when the vehicle veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. California Highway Patrol said the passenger was ejected from the car, while the driver remained trapped inside. Both occupants died at the scene. Authorities have not confirmed who was driving. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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