Vince Zampella, the co-creator of video game series Call of Duty, has died at age 55.
Zampella passed away on Sunday following a severe single-vehicle crash on a Los Angeles highway in California.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), for reasons still under investigation, the Ferrari he was in veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed in flames.
A viral video from the scene showed the fiery aftermath of the collision. The CHP reported that two occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
The passenger was ejected, while the driver remained trapped inside.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Zampella was driving or identified the other individual involved.
The exact cause of the accident remains under active investigation.
Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment, a game studio Zampella co-founded, described his death as an “unimaginable loss” while sending their condolences.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work,” a spokesperson said.
Also in a post via X, Infinity Ward, the American company that developed Call of Duty, disclosed that Zampella will always hold a “special place in our history”.
“Rest in peace Vince. As one of the founders of Infinity Ward and Call of Duty, you will always have a special place in our history,” the post reads.
“Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable. Our deepest condolences to Vince’s family and loved ones upon this terrible tragedy.”
Zampella was widely regarded as a pioneer in first-person military shooter games, with one of his biggest achievements being the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold over half a billion copies worldwide.
He co-created Call of Duty in 2003 alongside longtime collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier.
Zampella’s success extended beyond Call of Duty. He was also behind other major hits, including Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends, cementing his legacy in the gaming industry.
