Vince Zampella, the video game developer who helped launch the wildly profitable and enduring “Call of Duty” franchise and Respawn Entertainment's Apex Legends studio, has died.
A spokesman for Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn, confirmed Zampella's death on Monday in a statement published by The Times. He was 55.
Zampella was one of two people killed Sunday afternoon in a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. NBC 4 reports.. The crash involved a red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, and the identities of the victims are pending release by the county coroner, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Daniel Keane.
Zampella was a well-known sports car collector, often sharing photos of his luxury cars and attending auto races. Instagram.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts go out to Vince’s family, his loved ones and everyone touched by his work,” an Electronic Arts spokesperson said in a statement. “Vince's influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching.”
In a Sunday news release, the CHP said it received a call at 12:43 p.m. about an accident at Mile Post 62.70 of the scenic road, which reopened in August after closed for several years due to hurricane damage. Officers responded to the scene of the crash and a preliminary investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling southbound when “for unknown reasons, it left the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and completely submerged,” the report said.
“The passenger was ejected from the vehicle and the driver remained trapped,” the CHP said in a statement. “Both parties died from their injuries.”
A video has appeared online showing a red Ferrari flying out of a highway tunnel at high speed, crashing into a concrete barrier at a bend in the road and bursting into flames.
The 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS is a hybrid convertible powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 819 horsepower.
The Angeles Crest Scenic Highway features 66 miles of winding mountain slopes. favorite among motorcyclists and car enthusiasts but also has a track record of lethal and dangerous accidents.
CHP said Sunday it was unclear whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
Zampella was a defining figure on the modern gaming scene. He co-founded the original Call of Duty studio, Infinity Ward, with Jason West and former creative partner Grant Collier in 2002 and released the first installment of the military first-person shooter in 2003. That same year, the studio was acquired by Activision. Since its inception, “Call of Duty” has spawned dozens of sequels and spin-offs across various consoles and platforms, most recently “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,” released in November.
Him and West after acrimonious split with Activisionfounded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Although West left Respawn in 2013 due to unspecified family issues, Zampella remained head of the studio, overseeing the creation of games such as Titanfall, Apex Legends and “Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond.” In addition, Respawn has expanded its lineup with the Star Wars story films Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor starring Cameron Monaghan.
Zampella also headed the Los Angeles office of Swedish video game developer DICE, which renamed Ripple Effect Studios in 2021, and was appointed to oversee its “Battlefield” franchise.
“A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work has helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of gamers and developers around the world,” Electronic Arts said in a statement. “His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players interact for generations to come.”
Zampella is survived by three children: Quentin, 26; Kyle, 22; and Courtney, 19.
