Los Angeles, 23 December (H.S.): Vince Zampella, the visionary co-creator of the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, died at age 55 in a catastrophic single-vehicle crash on Sunday afternoon along California's Angeles Crest Highway, according to California Highway Patrol reports and multiple media outlets.
The accident, which also claimed the life of a passenger, unfolded around 12:45 p.m. when Zampella's southbound Ferrari veered off the winding scenic road in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, struck a concrete barrier, and erupted into flames.
Authorities detailed that the high-performance sports car careened out of control, ejecting the unidentified passenger who later succumbed at a hospital, while Zampella remained trapped inside the inferno and perished at the scene.
NBC4 Investigates first reported the tragedy on Monday, confirming Zampella's identity through sources close to the investigation, with no immediate indications of impairment or external factors released by investigators.
The CHP continues to probe the incident, which closed portions of State Route 2 amid the popular mountain drive's notorious hazards for speed and curves.
Zampella's journey began in the 1990s at studios like Panasonic Interactive Media and SegaSoft, where he honed his craft on early shooters alongside future collaborator Jason West, leading to his lead designer role on the acclaimed Medal of Honor: Allied Assault in 2002.
That year, he co-founded Infinity Ward, launching Call of Duty in 2003 under Activision—a juggernaut that exploded with titles like Call of Duty 2, Modern Warfare, and Modern Warfare 2, redefining first-person shooters and generating billions in sales.
Ousted from Activision amid controversy in 2010, Zampella swiftly established Respawn Entertainment, debuting with the innovative Titanfall series blending fluid mobility and mech combat, followed by the free-to-play phenomenon Apex Legends in 2019.
Electronic Arts acquired Respawn in 2017, entrusting Zampella with oversight of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel Survivor, plus efforts to revive the Battlefield franchise as head of Respawn and DICE LA.
Electronic Arts mourned Zampella as a titan and legend, crediting him with shaping Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars titles through talent-spotting and player-first innovation.
Game journalist Geoff Keighley lauded his transparency during The Final Hours of Titanfall and commitment to craft, while Respawn's official statement hailed him as a visionary leader whose unmade future projects leave a profound void. Colleagues and fans worldwide remember Zampella, father of three, as the GOAT of FPS whose studios birthed enduring hits, with his legacy enduring across gaming's biggest franchises.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
