Gaming industry ‘titan’, Call of Duty creator Vince Zampella dies in fiery crash
Video game mogul Vince Zampella has died in horrific circumstances after the luxury Ferrari he was travelling in exploded in a ball of flames.
The 55-year-old was in the vehicle when it veered off a road and into a concrete barrier in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles on Sunday local time.
The passenger was ejected, while the driver was trapped and died in the burning car, local police have said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It is understood Zampella was driving the car, according to TMZ. The identity of his passenger has not been confirmed.
Graphic video believed to be of the crash has been posted to social media, showing the moment the Ferrari emerges from a tunnel and slams into the barrier.
Shocked bystanders rush to the vehicle to assist those inside, pulling away a passenger still in a car seat that has separated from the main body of the vehicle.
Zampella co-created one of the most successful video games of all time, Call of Duty, released in 2003. That franchise has now generated an estimated $35 billion over the past 20 plus years.
The self-made tycoon co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, now owned by Entertainment Arts, creating Apex Legends, the Titanfall series and the Star wars Jedi series and headed Entertainment Art’s Battlefield series.
Heartbroken gamers and colleagues have been honouring the contribution of Zampella to the industry.
Battlefield Studios described in a post on X as “a creative leader whose work shaped generations of players and helped define what modern shooters and action games could be”.
“During his time guiding Battlefield, he led with care and purpose, always grounding decisions in what mattered most to the community and the long-term future of the franchise.
“While his impact reached far beyond any one game or studio, we will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it.
“We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his generosity, and the care he brought to everything he touched, and we will carry that forward with us.”
Respawn posted, “We’re heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella.”
“Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series and Battlefield for our community in ways that will be felt for generations.
“His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio.
“We will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Respawn & Battlefield.
“Most importantly, he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered. We will miss him greatly. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who love him.”
