Vince Zampella, one of the best-known game developers in history, died in a car crash on Sunday afternoon.
Zampella, who managed the Battlefield franchise including the massive hit Battlefield 6, died on Sunday afternoon in a Ferrari crash on the Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California, NBC4 Investigates reported.
Zampella was the head of Respawn Entertainment, which Electronic Arts acquired in 2017 for up to $455 million. Respawn was the maker of the Titanfall and Apex Legends series of games.
Zampella was also previously CEO of game studio Infinity Ward, the studio that pioneered the multi-billion-dollar Call of Duty franchise.
NBC4 said the single-car crash was reported at about 12:45 p.m. on Sunday on the scenic road north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. The southbound car veered off the road, hit a concrete barrier and a passenger was ejected, the California Highway Patrol said.
Zampella died in the ensuing car fire, the CHP said. The driver died at the scene and the passenger died at a hospital, authorities told NBC4. It’s not clear who was the driver. More details weren’t available, but a witness reportedly provided a video of the crash involving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS to authorities.
Even after setbacks, Zampella made roaring comebacks that changed the industry. Zampella and Infinity Ward cofounder Jason West were fired from Infinity Ward in 2010 after long-standing disagreements with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. They went on to cofound Respawn Entertainment and hired dozens of former Call of Duty team members.
Zampella, 55, cofounded Chatsworth-based Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Respawn Entertainment is best known for the video games Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He also worked on Medal of Honor and co-created Call of Duty.
In a statement, the CHP said: “For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed. The passenger was ejected from the vehicle and the driver remained trapped. Both parties succumbed to their injuries. It is currently unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.”
I met Zampella back in the Medal of Honor days and he always had such a great personality. He had a jolly laugh and frequently used the F-word, even on stage at the most recent Battlefield 6 reveal in Los Angeles. We joked he was the only executive allowed to say the F-word on stage. He provided me with so many great moments in my gaming life that I just don’t know where to start. I’m thankful for his games — a legacy in the game industry that people won’t forget. I last saw him at The Game Awards on December 11, where he posed in a selfie with me.
In a statement, Justin Higgs, vice president of corporate communications for EA, said, “This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.”
On social media, an outpouring of grief, condolences and memories about Zampella is accumulating.
In a statement on Facebook, The Game Awards founder Geoff Keighley wrote:
I cannot believe I am writing this, but Vince Zampella, a titan of the video game industry, the creator of Call of Duty and founder of Respawn Entertainment, not to mention a dear friend, died in a car crash in Los Angeles yesterday.
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.
I saw that up close while writing The Final Hours of Titanfall. I’ll always be deeply grateful that he trusted me to tell the story of the company’s founding. Even when it was difficult or uncomfortable, Vince never wavered in his commitment to honesty and transparency. He believed that the truth mattered, and he was willing to share it with the world.
Vince cared deeply about doing the right thing. And even while working inside large organizations, he consistently pushed to put players first — to prioritize the experience, the craft, and the people who played the games.
He leaves behind an incredible legacy of work. I’ll miss our dinners and long conversations. And while he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.