Vince Zampella, head of Respawn and Call of Duty co-creator, dies in car crash

Co-founder of Infinity Ward, co-creator of Call of Duty, and co-founder of Respawn Entertainment Vince Zampella has died in a car crash, according to a new report from NBC4 in Los Angeles.

Zampella was involved in a single-car crash on Angeles Crest Highway north of LA, according to the report, at about 12:55pm local time on Dec. 21. The vehicle veered off the road before hitting a concrete barrier and a passenger was ejected from the car. Both Zampella and the passenger did not survive.

One of the architects of modern FPS games as we know it, Zampella’s work history includes Medal of Honor and the co-creation of the original Call of Duty titles. Under his leadership, Infinity Ward released Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, after which he moved on to co-found Respawn Entertainment and oversee such games as Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series.

“Vince was an extraordinary person — a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great,” said The Game Awards founder and friend of Zampella, Geoff Keighley. “He leaves behind an incredible legacy of work. I’ll miss our dinners and long conversations. And while he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.”

Zampella also was the leader of the Los Angeles branch of DICE, Ripple Effect Studios, one of the makers of Battlefield 6, a franchise that he recently took over as its lead. His impact on the modern day gaming industry cannot be overstated. He was 55 years old.

Destructoid staff would like to send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers in this unimaginably difficult time.

Update on Dec. 22 at 3:33pm CT: Electronic Arts, owner of Respawn Entertainment, released this statement this afternoon to confirm the news:

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.”

California Highway Patrol also put out a statement:

“For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed. The passenger was ejected from the vehicle and the driver remained trapped. Both parties succumbed to their injuries. It is currently unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.”

Update on Dec. 22 at 4:05pm CT: Zampella’s former studio Infinity Ward posted this statement on X/Twitter:

“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. Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable. Our deepest condolences to Vince’s family and loved ones upon this terrible tragedy.”

Update on Dec. 22 at 5:30pm CT: Respawn Entertainment has released its statement on Zampella’s passing.

“We’re heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella. Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series and Battlefield for our community in ways that will be felt for generations. 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. We will miss him greatly. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who love him.”