Gaming Legend Lost: Call of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella Killed in California Ferrari Crash

The video game industry is in a state of shock following the tragic news that Vince Zampella, the visionary co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has passed away.

The Vince Zampella car crash California incident occurred on Sunday, December 21, 2025, on the Angeles Crest Highway. Electronic Arts (EA), where Zampella served as a top executive overseeing the Battlefield and Apex Legends portfolios, confirmed the “unimaginable loss” in an official statement released on Monday.

Details of the Fatal Accident

According to reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local broadcasters like NBC4, the accident took place around 12:45 PM in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles.

• The Vehicle: Zampella was driving a high-performance red Ferrari.
• The Crash: For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the winding mountain road, struck a concrete barrier, and was immediately engulfed in flames.

The Victims: Authorities confirmed that Zampella was pronounced dead at the scene. A second occupant in the vehicle was ejected during the impact and later succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.

Witnesses at the scene described the fire as intense, leaving the wreckage unrecognizable. The CHP has not yet determined if speed or mechanical failure played a role in the tragedy.

A Titan of the Gaming Industry

Vince Zampella was 55 years old at the time of his passing. His career was nothing short of legendary, characterized by a series of hits that redefined the first-person shooter (FPS) genre.

Key Career Milestones:

• Infinity Ward: Co-founded the studio in 2002 and led the development of the original Call of Duty and the revolutionary Modern Warfare series.
• Respawn Entertainment: After a high-profile exit from Activision, he founded Respawn in 2010, delivering massive hits like Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series (Fallen Order and Survivor).
• EA & Battlefield: Most recently, Zampella was tasked with revitalizing the Battlefield franchise, with the latest installment, Battlefield 6, setting new sales records just months ago.

Tributes Pour In from the Community

The news has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues, competitors, and fans worldwide.

“Vince was a titan and a legend… a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games in ways that will be felt for generations,” Respawn Entertainment shared in a social media tribute.

Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards and a close friend, expressed his heartbreak: “Vince was a gamer at heart. He had a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom to create. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play the great games he still had ahead of him.”

The Legacy of a Visionary

Zampella’s influence on modern interactive entertainment is immeasurable. From the cinematic storytelling of Call of Duty to the fluid movement mechanics of Apex Legends, his DNA is embedded in the games millions of people play every day.

As the investigation into the Vince Zampella car crash California continues, the industry pauses to remember a man who didn’t just play games he changed them forever.