Vince Zampella, the influential video game developer best known for co-creating the Call of Duty franchise, has died in a car crash in California at the age of 55. His death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, the studio he co-founded.
The accident occurred on a highway in Los Angeles on Sunday. Zampella was travelling in a Ferrari with another person when the vehicle veered off the road, hit a concrete barrier, and caught fire. According to the California Highway Patrol, the passenger was ejected from the car while the driver remained trapped. Both occupants died at the scene. Authorities have not confirmed who was driving or the identity of the second individual.
Zampella rose to global prominence in 2003 when he created Call of Duty alongside collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier. Inspired by World War II, the franchise went on to sell more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most successful video game series in history and a major revenue driver for Activision.
Beyond Call of Duty, Zampella played a key role in shaping modern gaming through titles such as Medal of Honour, Titanfall, and Apex Legends. His work was widely praised for prioritising gameplay quality and player experience.
In 2010, Zampella and West parted ways with Activision following a high-profile dispute, which was later settled out of court. He later joined Electronic Arts, where he contributed to major projects including Battlefield 6, a rival to Call of Duty.
Tributes have poured in from across the gaming industry, with developers, journalists, and content creators crediting Zampella for influencing an entire generation of players and redefining the first-person shooter genre. His legacy continues through the franchises that reshaped global gaming culture.

Legendary game developer Vince Zampella dies in a fatal car crash in California

Call of Duty Creator Vince Zampella Dies at 55

Legendary game developer Vince Zampella dies in a fatal car crash in California

December 24, 2025 | 16:25 IST