Vince Zampella, a prominent figure in the gaming industry known for his involvement in popular titles like “Call of Duty,” has passed away at the age of 55. The news of his death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, the gaming company he was associated with. While the cause of death was not officially disclosed by the company, reports from various sources suggest that Zampella was involved in a fatal car accident.
Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment under Electronic Arts in 2010 and previously served as the CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for the successful “Call of Duty” series. A spokesperson from Electronic Arts expressed deep respect for Zampella’s significant impact on the gaming world, describing him as a friend, leader, and visionary creator whose contributions have influenced both players and developers globally.
Among Zampella’s notable achievements was the creation of the immensely popular “Call of Duty” franchise, which has sold over 500 million units worldwide since its launch in 2003. The series, initially set in World War II, has expanded to cover modern warfare themes and is even being adapted into a live-action film by Paramount Pictures.
In recent years, Zampella was actively involved in developing action-adventure games like “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” and “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.” The sudden news of his passing has deeply saddened industry insiders, with Geoff Keighley, a respected video game journalist, expressing his shock and admiration for Zampella’s talents and leadership qualities. Keighley highlighted Zampella’s ability to nurture talent and create groundbreaking gaming experiences, noting that the industry has lost a visionary whose potential for future innovation will be sorely missed.