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Vince Zampella, Co-Creator of ‘Call of Duty,’ Dies in Car Crash at 55
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The influential video game developer and head of Respawn Entertainment died Sunday in a crash on Angeles Crest Highway in California.
What Happened?
Vince zampella,55,co-creator of the blockbuster “Call of Duty” franchise and head of Respawn Entertainment,died in a single-vehicle car crash on Sunday,December 22,2024. The crash occurred on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Zampella was driving a new red Ferrari when it veered off the road after exiting a tunnel,colliding with a concrete barrier and afterward catching fire.
A passenger in the vehicle was also killed,being ejected during the impact. Both Zampella and the passenger died at the scene from their injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Who Was Vince Zampella?
Vince Zampella was a pivotal figure in the video game industry, best known as the co-founder of Infinity Ward and co-creator of the “Call of Duty” series. He later founded Respawn Entertainment, responsible for critically acclaimed titles like “Apex Legends” and “Titanfall.”
Zampella’s career began at Activision, where he played a key role in developing the original “Call of Duty” in 2003. He and Jason West co-founded Infinity Ward, which went on to create some of the most successful “Call of Duty” installments, including “call of duty 2,” “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.”
In 2010, Zampella and West were controversially fired from Activision, leading to a highly publicized legal battle. They subsequently formed respawn Entertainment, which was acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2017.
Under Zampella’s leadership, Respawn became a highly respected and innovative studio, known for its commitment to quality and player experience.
Impact and Legacy
Zampella’s death has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. His contributions to the industry are immense, and he is widely regarded as a visionary leader.
“Call of Duty” revolutionized the first-person shooter genre, becoming one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. “Apex Legends” similarly disrupted the battle royale space, offering a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
Respawn Entertainment released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) expressing their heartbreak over Zampella’s passing, calling him a “titan and legend of this industry.”
