Vince Zampella, Call of Duty Co‑Creator, Killed in LA Crash

• Key takeaways:
• Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and Respawn co-founder, has died in a Los Angeles car crash at age 55.
• The crash involved a Ferrari that struck a concrete barrier, caught fire, and resulted in both occupants dying, the California Highway Patrol said.
• Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment, confirmed Zampella’s death and offered condolences; details on who was driving remain unclear.

What happened on the highway

Officials say the incident occurred on a Los Angeles highway when a Ferrari "veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed," according to a California Highway Patrol statement to the BBC.

Both people in the vehicle died. CHP added that the passenger was ejected while the driver remained trapped. It has not been publicly confirmed who was driving.

A spokesperson for Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment that Zampella co-founded, confirmed his death and offered condolences, calling it "an unimaginable loss." Reports say Zampella was 55.

Zampella’s contributions to gaming

Call of Duty and early successes

Vince Zampella helped create Call of Duty with Jason West and Grant Collier in 2003. Inspired in part by World War II events, the franchise has sold more than 500 million copies and became a cornerstone of Activision’s business, now under Microsoft ownership.

The series also expanded beyond games; Call of Duty has spawned spin-offs and an upcoming live-action film tied to the franchise’s global reach.

Other major titles and Respawn

Zampella’s resume includes work on Medal of Honor and leading roles in Titanfall and Apex Legends. He later co-founded Respawn Entertainment, which was acquired by Electronic Arts.

His focus on player experience was frequently noted by peers. Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian, told BBC Newshour that "he really cared about the player experience… and that really came across whenever you spoke to him."

Career conflicts and later projects

In 2010, Zampella and Jason West were fired from Activision, triggering a lengthy legal dispute that was settled out of court in 2012. That episode was a significant chapter in his career and the industry’s corporate history.

At Electronic Arts, reports linked Zampella to work on Battlefield 6, a title positioned by some as a direct competitor to Call of Duty.

What’s next

Local authorities are investigating the crash. Electronic Arts and other industry figures have issued statements of condolence, and tributes from colleagues and players are expected as more details emerge.

This loss marks the end of a major creative force behind some of the most commercially successful and culturally influential shooters in modern gaming.