TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vince Zampella, the influential video game developer behind some of the industry’s most successful franchises, has died at 55 following a single-car crash in Southern California.
Electronic Arts confirmed Monday that Zampella was killed Sunday on the Angeles Crest Highway near Los Angeles, with NBC LA reporting the incident involved a Ferrari.
Authorities said Zampella died in a single-car Ferrari crash on Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday. The vehicle was traveling south through the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the car veered off the road after exiting a tunnel and struck a concrete barrier.
NBC Los Angeles stated that the impact caused the car to catch fire, trapping Zampella inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the car was ejected during the crash and later succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, authorities told NBC4 Investigates.
The CHP said officers received an alert about the crash at about 12:43 p.m., including an emergency satellite alert from an Apple device near mile marker 62 in an unincorporated area close to Altadena. Investigators said the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Zampella was a major figure in gaming who co-created the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise. He previously served as CEO of Infinity Ward, and most recently led Respawn Entertainment.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work,” video game company Electronic Arts said in a statement. “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.”
Starting with Medal of Honor: Allied Assault in 2002 and the first Call of Duty in 2003, Zampella’s career spanned more than two decades. At Respawn Entertainment, he produced hits including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series, while also overseeing teams at EA’s DICE LA studio.
Games tied to his work have sold more than 500 million copies and reached about 100 million monthly players. These titles generated over $30 billion in revenue. Recently, a live-action Call of Duty film was announced in October.
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