Vince Zampella, ‘Call of Duty’ Creator, Dies at 55

Vince Zampella, creator of the wildly successful Call of Duty video game franchise, died Sunday in a single-vehicle car crash on a Los Angeles-area highway, according to a local news report. He was 55.

“We’re heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella,” reads a post on X from his company, Respawn Entertainment, on Monday afternoon. “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,” the statement continues. “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.”

Around 12:45 p.m. on Angeles Crest Highway north of L.A. in the San Gabriel Mountains, officers with the California Highway Patrol’s Altadena Area office responded to the scene of an accident, according to a press release sent to The Hollywood Reporter.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Angeles Crest Highway, the CPH said.

“For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed,” the release states. “The passenger was ejected from the vehicle and the driver remained trapped.”

CPH said in the release that both the driver and passenger died from their injuries. The driver’s identity has not been confirmed by CHP, nor has the identity of the passenger. Public statements are pending notification of each of the deceased’s next of kin, and it is currently unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash, the agency stated.

Zampella’s death was first reported by NBC Los Angeles. The gaming mogul was reportedly driving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS when it crashed on the winding road overlooking both L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley.

Zampella was the head of Respawn Entertainment and is the former CEO of Infinity Ward, the video game developers behind Call of Duty. The game has sold over 500 million copies and has 100 million monthly active players across all platforms, as of October 2023; since 2022, the franchise has generated over $30 billion in revenue.