Vince Zampella, a renowned figure in the video game industry and co-creator of Call of Duty, has died at the age of 55 following a car crash, Electronic Arts confirmed on Monday, December 22.
Local reports stated that the longtime developer and executive was involved in a fatal accident on Sunday while driving his Ferrari in the San Gabriel Mountains. The crash claimed the lives of two people—Zampella and another individual who has not been identified.
Authorities said the vehicle veered off the road and struck a concrete barrier. The passenger was ejected from the car and later died at the hospital, while the driver was trapped inside the vehicle and succumbed to injuries after the car caught fire.
Respawn Entertainment paid tribute to Zampella in a post on X, writing, “His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio. We will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Respawn & Battlefield. Most importantly, he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered.”
We're heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella.
— Respawn (@Respawn) December 22, 2025
Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series and Battlefield for our… pic.twitter.com/L51gG9tbRo
The Battlefield team also honored Zampella through an X post, stating, “While his impact reached far beyond any one game or studio, we will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it.”
“We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his generosity, and the care he brought to everything he touched, and we will carry that forward with us.”
We are heartbroken by the loss of Vince Zampella, a creative leader whose work shaped generations of players and helped define what modern shooters and action games could be.
— Battlefield (@Battlefield) December 22, 2025
Across a remarkable career, Vince played a foundational role in franchises including Call of Duty,… pic.twitter.com/M2NgyJRWu2
Zampella leaves behind a lasting legacy as the creative force behind major franchises, including Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, Battlefield, and the Star Wars Jedi series—titles that shaped the childhoods and lives of gamers around the world.
