Vince Zampella, one of the minds behind the popular video game “Call of Duty,” died in a traffic accident at the age of 55. This was reported by industry giant Electronic Arts on Monday, December 22, 2025.
According to local broadcaster NBC4, Zampella was driving his Ferrari on a road north of Los Angeles, USA, when the accident occurred. “For unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and was completely engulfed in flames,” the California Highway Patrol reported in a statement.
The text adds that both the driver and passenger, who was ejected from the vehicle, died from their injuries. Witnesses posted video showing the purple Ferrari wrecked and set on fire on the mountain road. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.
Sales record
Zampella’s studios developed some of the best-selling video games in the world and the creative was considered a pioneer in the field of first-person shooters.
When his video game “Battlefield 6” set a new sales record for the franchise in 2025, the producer expressed his gratitude for “never” taking moments like this for granted, despite his long and successful career in the industry. This massive fighting game has conquered more than 100 million users in its various versions over the last two decades.
But this isn’t his first record. Today, its other gem, “Call of Duty,” has more than 100 million monthly active players. “You dream that the game will become popular, but I don’t think you are ever prepared for such success,” Zampella admitted in a 2016 interview.
an influential personality
In addition to co-creating the “Call of Duty” franchise, Zampella was also the founder of Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind “Titanfall,” “Apex Legends” and “Star Wars Jedi.”
After starting out as a shooter game designer in the 1990s, he co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and helped launch “Call of Duty” in 2003. His studio was later acquired by Activision. He left the last company under controversial circumstances and founded Respawn in 2010, which Electronic Arts bought in 2017.
At EA, he eventually took responsibility for reviving the Battlefield franchise and cemented his reputation as one of the most influential figures in first-person shooter video gaming.
“It is an unimaginable loss and our condolences go out to Vince’s family, his loved ones and everyone touched by his work,” Electronic Arts said in a statement. “Vince’s impact on the video game industry has been profound and far-reaching,” the company states.
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