- - “Call of Duty” co-creator Vince Zampella dies in car crash

Daysia TolentinoDecember 23, 2025 at 11:56 PM

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Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Vince Zampella on July 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif

Video game developer Vince Zampella, best known for co-creating Call of Duty, died in a car crash on Sunday.

Zampella was 55. After exiting a tunnel in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, he crashed his Ferrari into a concrete barrier. He died at the scene after getting trapped in the subsequent car fire, reported NBC Los Angeles. He was traveling with a passenger who died at the hospital.

Zampella co-founded video game studio Infinity Ward in 2002. The company's first game was Call of Duty, which has gone on to spawn nearly two dozen titles and sell over 500 million copies worldwide. Zampella later co-founded and led Respawn Entertainment, a studio that has published game series like Titanfall and Star Wars Jedi. Respawn has been a part of Electronic Arts (EA) since 2017.

Barry Brecheisen/Getty

Vince Zampella at the panel for the 'Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order' at McCormick Place Convention Center on April 11, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois

Infinity Ward paid tribute to its founder in a statement posted to X.

"As one of the founders of Infinity Ward and Call of Duty, you will always have a special place in our history," the post read. "Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable.

Respawn Entertainment also shared a statement about Zampella's death on X, calling the developer a "titan and legend of this industry."The statement continued: "His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio. We will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Respawn & Battlefield. Most importantly, he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered."

Activision

Vince Zampella co-created 'Call of Duty,' which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide

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Zampella most recently served as creative director for Battlefield 6. The first-person shooter game is the best-selling game of 2025 to date, according to market research company Circana.

Meanwhile, a Call of Duty film is in development. Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and Battleship director Peter Berg have signed on to produce and co-write the script, with Berg also directing.

Zampella is survived by his three children.

on Entertainment Weekly

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”