Vince Zampella, Co-Creator of Call of Duty, Dies at 55 in Fiery Crash — A Tribute to a Gaming Legend

Vince Zampella, the visionary video game designer best known for co-creating Call of Duty and leading some of the industry’s most successful studios, has died at the age of 55 in a tragic car accident in Southern California.

Zampella was driving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS on the scenic Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles on December 21, 2025, when the vehicle veered off the roadway shortly after exiting a tunnel and struck a concrete barrier. The car caught fire, and Zampella was fatally trapped inside. A passenger in the car was ejected and later died from their injuries at a hospital. The identities of the passenger have not yet been released.

The 55-year-old designer was a towering figure in modern gaming. He first rose to prominence as a co-founder of Infinity Ward in 2002, where he helped create the Call of Duty franchise — a series that would go on to sell hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and define the first-person shooter genre for an entire generation of players.

After leaving Activision, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010 with Jason West. Respawn produced critically and commercially acclaimed titles including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series. The studio was acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2017, and Zampella later took on leadership of the Battlefield franchise, contributing to its resurgence with Battlefield 6.

Industry colleagues, critics and gamers immediately reacted to the news with shock and sorrow. EA released a statement honoring Zampella as “a friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator” whose influence “was profound and far-reaching,” and noted that his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment.

Respawn, Infinity Ward and other studios also shared tributes, recognizing Zampella’s passion for storytelling, innovation and the deep connection his games forged with millions of players around the world.

Zampella’s legacy extends beyond the titles he helped build. He was known for his leadership and creative vision, mentoring countless developers and pushing the boundaries of what games could be — from intense, cinematic combat to immersive shared online experiences enjoyed by players across the globe.

He is survived by his family and the many colleagues and fans who were inspired by his work. As the gaming community grieves, his contributions will continue to live on in the franchises he helped define and the people he influenced. The Jay Rob Show sends out our condolences and prayers to his family throughout this difficult time.