Vince Zampella, Infinity Ward and Respawn Co Founder and Call of Duty Co Creator, Dies in Southern California Car Crash
Vince Zampella, a defining figure in modern first person shooters and a key leader behind Infinity Ward, Respawn Entertainment, and major franchises like Call of Duty, has died following a single vehicle crash in Southern California. The incident was first reported by NBC Los Angeles, which said Zampella and a passenger were killed in the crash on Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles.
According to the report, authorities received the call at approximately 12:45 PM on 2025 12 21. The vehicle, described as a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, veered off the road just after exiting a tunnel, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. The passenger was ejected and later died at a hospital, while Zampella was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene. Officials have not yet shared the cause of the crash, and the passenger’s identity was not immediately available.
Beyond the tragedy, Zampella’s impact on the industry is difficult to overstate for anyone who grew up in the era where Call of Duty reshaped competitive multiplayer expectations and where Respawn proved it could still reinvent the genre with Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. In recent years, he also held leadership responsibilities connected to EA’s Battlefield organization, placing him at the center of the genre he helped define.
Vince was an extraordinary person — a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 22, 2025
I saw that up close while writing The Final Hours of Titanfall. I’ll always be…
EA provided a statement shared via Kotaku, calling the situation “an unimaginable loss” and emphasizing the breadth of Zampella’s influence across interactive entertainment. Please also note that a graphic crash video is reportedly circulating on social platforms, so discretion is strongly advised when browsing related posts.
Our condolences go out to Vince Zampella's family and friends.
