Industry Legend Vince Zampella Dies at 55

LOS ANGELES — Vince Zampella, the executive who redefined the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, passed away Sunday afternoon. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and NBC Los Angeles, Zampella was involved in a single-car accident on the Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains around 12:43 p.m.

Reports indicate Zampella was driving a Ferrari 296 GTS when the vehicle veered off the roadway for unknown reasons, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed in flames. Zampella was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was ejected and later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.

Electronic Arts Issues Statement

In an official statement to PEOPLE, Electronic Arts (EA)—parent company of Zampella’s Respawn Entertainment—expressed profound grief:

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.”

A Legacy of Unmatched Innovation

Zampella’s career was marked by his ability to create franchises that shifted the cultural zeitgeist:

• The Birth of Call of Duty: After leading Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002. He was the architect of the original Call of Duty and the era-defining Modern Warfare series.
• The Respawn Era: Following a public split from Activision, he co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Under his guidance, the studio produced Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the critically acclaimed Star Wars Jedi series.
• The Battlefield Revival: At the time of his passing, Zampella was overseeing the Battlefield franchise. He was credited with returning the series to its roots with the successful launch of Battlefield 6 in October 2025.