Call of Duty creator Vince Zampella dies at 55 in Southern California highway crash

Video game pioneer Vince Zampella, a key creator of Call of Duty, died following a crash on Angeles Crest Highway

Vince Zampella, a pioneering figure in the video game industry and a key creator of the Call of Duty franchise, has died following a highway crash in Southern California. He was 55.

According to information obtained by NBC4 Investigates, Zampella was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. Authorities said the crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, December 21.

The California Highway Patrol reported that a southbound vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. A passenger was ejected from the car and later died at a hospital, while the driver was trapped inside the vehicle following a fire and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not yet released further details regarding the cause of the crash, and the incident remains under investigation.

Zampella was widely regarded as one of the most influential developers in modern gaming. He previously served as CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for launching Call of Duty, which went on to become one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. His work helped shape the first-person shooter genre and redefine multiplayer gaming.

In 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment, a studio later acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017. Respawn produced critically acclaimed titles including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He also led an EA studio team based in Playa Vista that contributed to the Battlefield franchise.

Tributes from across the gaming community are expected as developers, publishers, and fans reflect on Zampella’s lasting impact. His legacy spans decades of innovation and franchises that continue to influence the industry worldwide.