Vince Zampella, Video Game Pioneer Behind Call of Duty and Apex Legends, Dies in Car Crash
Legendary game designer Vince Zampella, co-founder of Infinity Ward and head of Respawn Entertainment, has died at age 55 following a fatal car accident on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway, local authorities and multiple outlets report.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Accident details: Zampella died in a single-vehicle crash on Angeles Crest Highway; a passenger also died.
Industry impact: As a leading figure in modern shooters, he helped shape Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi, and Battlefield.
Community reaction: Tributes are pouring in from colleagues, industry figures, and fans worldwide.
Investigation ongoing: Officials have not yet released a cause for the crash.
What Happened in the Crash?
According to NBC Los Angeles, the fatal incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday on Angeles Crest Highway, a scenic but notoriously dangerous road north of Los Angeles.
Zampella was driving a Ferrari when the car veered off the southbound lane, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire, the California Highway Patrol told investigators.
Zampella, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene. An unidentified passenger was ejected from the vehicle and later died at a hospital.
Details about what factors led to the crash — such as speed, weather, or mechanical failure — have not been disclosed.
Who Was Vince Zampella?
Vince Zampella was one of the most influential designers and studio leaders in the video game industry.
He began his career in the mid-1990s and rose to prominence as a co-founder of Infinity Ward in 2002, where he was instrumental in creating the Call of Duty franchise, which redefined first-person shooters.
After a well-publicized exit from Activision in 2010, Zampella and longtime collaborator Jason West founded Respawn Entertainment, based in Chatsworth, California.
Under his leadership, Respawn produced critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles including:
Titanfall and Titanfall 2 (mech-based shooters)
Apex Legends (battle royale with innovative ping-based team play)
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (narrative-driven action)
In recent years, Zampella also played a leadership role in oversight of the Battlefield franchise within Electronic Arts.
How the Community Is Responding
Tributes to Zampella have spread rapidly across social media and industry channels.
Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, called Zampella “a titan of the video game industry” in a heartfelt post, honoring his contributions and influence.
Former Respawn colleague Alex Frostwolf shared praise for his leadership and the protective culture he fostered within studios.
Fans and developers alike are remembering Zampella’s work on landmark franchises and his role in shaping how modern shooters are made and played.
Hat Tips
NBC Los Angeles: Vince Zampella, video game developer behind ‘Call of Duty,’ killed in Ferrari crash – Dec 22, 2025
Polygon: Call of Duty creator and Respawn founder Vince Zampella reportedly killed in crash – Dec 22, 2025
Forbes: Vince Zampella, ‘Call Of Duty’ Co-Creator, Dies In Car Crash – Dec 22, 2025
The Guardian: Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty video game series, dies aged 55 – Dec 22, 2025
The Verge: Call of Duty developer Vince Zampella dies at 55 after car accident – Dec 22, 2025
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on December 22, 2025 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED