Vince Zampella, the influential game developer and co-founder of Infinity Ward, has passed away at the age of 55 following a car accident in Southern California. The news was first reported by NBC.
The accident reportedly took place on the Angeles Crest Highway. According to initial reports, the vehicle left the road, collided with a concrete barrier, and caught fire. One occupant died at the scene, while another later passed away in hospital. At the time of writing, it is unclear whether Zampella was the driver or passenger, and the identity of the second person has not been confirmed.
Vince Zampella built a legendary career in the games industry. He first gained recognition as director of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault before co-founding Infinity Ward alongside Grant Collier and Jason West. Under publisher Activision, the studio created the original Call of Duty, which would go on to become one of the most successful franchises in gaming history.
Following a high-profile dispute with Activision, Zampella and West founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio delivered several critically acclaimed titles, including the Titanfall series, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order along with its sequel Jedi: Survivor.
Electronic Arts acquired Respawn Entertainment in 2017. In the years that followed, Zampella took on a leading role within EA and later became the head of the Battlefield franchise. Under his leadership, Battlefield 6 launched earlier this year and was met with strong commercial success.
Final Thoughts
Vince Zampella leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. His work shaped modern shooter games and influenced an entire generation of developers and players. From Call of Duty to Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Battlefield, his impact on the industry is undeniable.
What do you think Vince Zampella’s biggest contribution to gaming was?
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