Industry veteran behind Respawn and Infinity Ward dies at 55
Summary
– Video game executive Vince Zampella was killed in a single-car crash in California
– The accident occurred on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains
– Zampella was a key figure behind Call of Duty Respawn and Battlefield franchises
Vince Zampella, a highly influential figure in the video game industry, has died following a crash in Southern California. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon along Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles.
Authorities said the single-car crash was reported around 12:45 p.m. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire after the impact.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver was trapped inside the burning vehicle and died at the scene. A passenger was ejected from the car and later died at a hospital.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Officials stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details were immediately available.
Zampella was 55 and served as the head of Respawn Entertainment, which he co-founded in 2010. The studio was later acquired by EA in 2017 and became known for major titles including Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Before Respawn, Zampella was the former CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for building the Call of Duty franchise into one of the best-selling series in gaming history. He also oversaw EA’s Battlefield development teams in Playa Vista.
His work helped shape modern gaming and left a lasting impact across multiple blockbuster franchises. Zampella is remembered as one of the industry’s most respected creative leaders.
