Vince Zampella, Call of Duty Co-Creator, Dead at 55

• Key Takeaways:
• Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has died at 55.
• Electronic Arts confirmed Zampella’s death on Dec. 23, 2025; local reports say a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway is involved.
• The California Highway Patrol reported the vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier; the driver and a passenger died.
• Zampella helped shape major franchises including Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series.

Confirmed death and initial details

Electronic Arts announced the death of Vince Zampella on Dec. 23, 2025, saying the game industry had lost a visionary. EA did not disclose a cause of death in its statement.

Local reports and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) release indicate the incident occurred on the Angeles Crest Highway. The CHP said it was called at 12:43 p.m. Sunday for a crash where the vehicle "veered off the roadway" and struck a concrete barrier; the driver and a passenger died. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims pending next-of-kin notification.

Career highlights and industry impact

Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward, the studio behind the original Call of Duty (2003), a franchise that redefined mainstream first-person shooters and became one of the industry's biggest commercial successes.

He later co-founded Respawn Entertainment, creator of Titanfall and a contributor to Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. EA acquired Respawn in 2017.

Zampella also served in leadership roles at DICE LA and was a board member of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), organizations tied to the Battlefield franchise and broader industry initiatives.

Reactions from studios and peers

EA called Zampella "a visionary whose work helped shape modern interactive entertainment," and said the company’s thoughts were with his family and colleagues. AIAS and studios associated with Battlefield and other franchises issued statements expressing heartbreak and noting his influence on generations of developers and players.

Legacy in game development

Zampella’s career spanned several flagship franchises and multiple studios, leaving a legacy in multiplayer and narrative-driven action games. His teams helped set technical and design standards that many current shooters still follow.

Further details about the crash and any official cause of death await announcements from law enforcement and family. The game industry’s remembrance of his contributions is already appearing across social channels and studio statements worldwide.