Vince Zampella, the visionary game developer and co-creator of the billion-dollar Call of Duty franchise was killed in a car crash that occurred on tortuous Angeles Crest Highway.
As confirmed by the gaming giant Electronics Arts, Zampella, 55, died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari on a winding highway in the north of Los Angeles.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), the high-speed car coming out of the tunnel veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and exploded in flames.
The moment the crash took place, the witnesses present on the scene posted the video of the crashed Ferrari, burning in the flames on the mountain road. The video went viral and took the internet by the storm.
The actual cause behind the fatal car crash is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing.
Vince Zampella was considered the legend of the modern gaming industry. His studios created some of the world’s most famous and best-selling video games, including the Call of Duty franchise and Battlefield 6.
He was also the pioneer of first-person military shooter style games. In 2010, Zampella also co-founded Respawn Entertainment, the studio that helped develop Titanfall, Apex Legend, and the Star Wars Jedi games.
Later, it was acquired by gaming giant Electronic Arts in 2017. He also co-created Infinity Ward in 2002 followed by the launch of Call of Duty in 2003.
In 2025, video game Battlefield 6 smashed the sales record for the franchise. And the Call of Duty game has more than 100 million active players on a monthly basis.
After confirming the death of Zampella, Electronic Arts issued a statement, “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. His work helped shape modern interactive entertainment,” the company added.
Washington Post video game reporter Gene Park also shared a heartfelt tribute, “It was a bold, transgressive method of storytelling, of a moment in time that was political, that was violent and that was impactful.
Park continued, “He really knew how to create stories and create experiences that really hit at the heart of human experience — whether it was terror, dread, heroism.”
Respawn also paid tribute to Zampella stating, “He showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it.”
Zampella “championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered”, the company said.
