Vince Zampella, co-creator of ‘Call of Duty’, dies in Ferrari crash

Acclaimed video game developer Vince Zampella, known for co-creating the Call of Duty franchise and leading major titles across the industry, died in a tragic car crash at the age of 55, gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed. 

According to authorities and reports, Zampella was driving a Ferrari on Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon when the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. Both Zampella and a passenger in the car died from their injuries. 

In a statement, EA described the loss as ‘unimaginable’ and said the company’s “hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work”. The statement praised his profound and far-reaching influence on the video game industry. 

Zampella had a long and influential career spanning decades. He co-founded Infinity Ward, where he helped launch Call of Duty, one of the best-selling video game franchises in history. Later, he co-founded Respawn Entertainment, responsible for major hits such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. More recently, he was involved in leadership at EA overseeing projects including Battlefield 6. 

Tributes have poured in from across the gaming community, with peers and industry figures highlighting Zampella’s creativity, leadership, and lasting legacy on interactive entertainment.

Further details, including an official coroner’s report and information about the passenger, have not yet been released.