Vince Zampella, the renowned video game developer and executive credited as a co-creator of the global gaming franchise Call of Duty, has reportedly died following a car accident. US media confirmed the development on Monday.
According to a report by local broadcaster NBC4, Zampella lost his life on Sunday while driving his Ferrari along a scenic route north of Los Angeles.
His death marks a major loss to the video gaming industry, where his studios were responsible for producing some of the highest-selling titles of all time.
Zampella rose to prominence as a co-creator of the Call of Duty series and as the founder of Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind popular titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi games.
His career in game development began in the 1990s, working as a designer on first-person shooter games. In 2002, he co-founded Infinity Ward and played a key role in launching Call of Duty in 2003. The success of the franchise eventually led to the studio being acquired by Activision.
Following a high-profile and contentious departure from Activision, Zampella went on to establish Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio was later acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017.
During his time at EA, Zampella was tasked with overseeing efforts to revive the Battlefield franchise, further solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in the evolution of modern first-person shooter games.
Tributes have since poured in from across the gaming community, recognising his lasting impact on the industry.
