On December 22, multiple foreign media outlets reported that Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn Entertainment, passed away in a traffic accident at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time on December 21, 2025. He was driving a Ferrari 296 GTB on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, and was 55 years old at the time of his death. Another passenger in the vehicle also lost their life in the crash.

Born on October 1, 1970, Zampella was one of the three founders of the renowned studio Infinity Ward, co - founder of Respawn Entertainment, and head of Ripple Effect Studios. He led and participated in the development of numerous blockbuster titles such as the Medal of Honor series, Call of Duty series, Titanfall series, EA's Star Wars series, Apex Legends, and Battlefield 6.

Even casual gamers can grasp the immense significance of Vince Zampella just by looking at these game titles. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest FPS game creators in the world, and for many, there was no "one of" about it.

Zampella's sudden passing sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Electronic Arts (EA), the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, issued a statement saying: "This is an unimaginable loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Vince's family, loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince's impact on the video game industry was profound and far - reaching."

Respawn Entertainment posted: "Vince Zampella was a giant and a legend in the industry. His charismatic qualities of encouraging bold creativity and trusting his team will be remembered even more than the games themselves."

Infinity Ward stated: "As one of our founders, Vince Zampella will always hold a special place in our history, and the influence of his work is immeasurable."

Beyond these official statements, gamers mourned not only the end of a great FPS legacy they had experienced firsthand but also a glorious chapter that is always mentioned in the transformation of modern FPS games.

IW and the Father of COD

After rising to fame, Vince Zampella held many titles: co - founder of IW, founder of Respawn Entertainment, FPS legend, etc. But in the beginning, like any ordinary person, he was just an avid gamer.

A dedicated gamer since childhood, Zampella started with Pong, then moved on to the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64. In a 2016 interview with IGN, he said his favorite childhood game was Donkey Kong: "I would spend hours playing it at the arcade."

Early in his career, a friend helped him land a job at GameTek, a game publisher in the late 1980s and early 1990s known for creating video game adaptations of TV game shows. He described his role in this small team as: "Producer/customer service/tester—basically, I did everything."

In 1997, he met Jason West, who would become his long - time collaborator for 15 years. At that time, Zampella was a producer at SegaSoft, and he hired West's Dallas - based game company to develop a role - playing game called Skies. Their professional relationship soon turned into a friendship. Two years later, West joined a little - known game startup called 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the lead developer and persuaded Zampella to come on board as the lead producer.

As the lead designer, Zampella created his first blockbuster hit. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the third installment in the highly acclaimed World War II shooter series Medal of Honor, was inspired by the movie Saving Private Ryan and co - created by Zampella and Steven Spielberg. Zampella envisioned a new type of shooter game that aimed to deliver an epic, cinematic immersive experience. The game was an instant success upon release, earning widespread praise for its global storytelling and intense action sequences—especially its brilliant depiction of the Omaha Beach landing.

"I was blown away," said Danny Bilson, a USC game writing professor and former executive vice president of THQ, who oversaw the entire Medal of Honor series as a producer at EA at the time. "It was one of the most immersive games I had ever seen." Released in January 2002, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault sold over one million copies in just ten months, an extraordinary achievement that made it one of the most successful PC games of all time. Even today, it still has a large and loyal fan base.

This success also gave EA the idea to break free from the previous settings of the IP, and to this day, it remains one of the most iconic levels in video game history. It showed what could be achieved when creativity was allowed to run wild without being constrained by conventions. It was so perfectly balanced that even if you tried to break its systems, it would keep running like a well - oiled clock.

"Sneaking through the eerie and desolate Pripyat is a masterclass in level design, thanks to Zampella, who was then leading developer Infinity Ward and encouraged and nurtured such rich creativity."

"The single - player campaign of Modern Warfare was a milestone in itself (among many other achievements, it featured one of the most memorable and spectacular cutscenes in gaming history). But when combined with the multiplayer mode, it created perhaps the most revolutionary multiplayer shooter before Fortnite—a title that laid the foundation for a franchise that would later take the world by storm."

"Zampella led the development of the legendary Call of Duty, Battlefield, Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Star Wars Jedi series. His influence on 21st - century video games is undeniable. He was not only a pioneer of first - person shooters, but his unwavering passion for creating cinematic gaming experiences has shaped the entire industry for decades."

Laura Miele, Chief Operating Officer of EA, commented on Zampella: "The entertainment he created defined culture and transcended the boundaries of gaming itself." "His ability to lead studios, unite developers, and deliver world - class gaming experiences was unparalleled."

Zampella himself once said that he was not limited to making shooter games. Creating a title like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a deliberate attempt to break away from his previous creative style. He loved challenging himself, his team, and creating innovative and exciting works—that was what motivated him.

After Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion and gained ownership of the classic Call of Duty IP, Zampella said: "Yeah, that number feels surreal. Even before that, people who didn't play games or know much about the industry had heard of Call of Duty. It was almost a household name. I'd be watching TV and hear someone mention Call of Duty. I feel incredibly honored that something I created has crossed over into popular culture."

After parting ways with Activision, Zampella gave advice to other game creatives who had strained relationships with publishers and were considering going independent. One of them was Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series.

Following Zampella's death, Kojima wrote with deep sorrow: "When I was preparing to go independent, he took the time to listen to my ideas, offer advice, and support me in many ways, perhaps because he felt we were in similar situations." "He even gave me a tour of his studio. Even after he joined DICE, we would meet for dinner every time I was in Los Angeles and talk about our futures."

Geoff Keighley, founder of The Game Awards, who was not involved in the research but participated in the peer review, said: "This is a hopeful finding for those of us who were not child prodigies. More often than not, the tortoise ultimately outruns the hare." He also collaborated with Zampella on a documentary about Titanfall.

"Even in difficult or uncomfortable situations, Vince never wavered in his commitment to honesty and transparency. He firmly believed that the truth mattered and was willing to share it with the world. Vince deeply valued doing the right thing. Even while working in large organizations, he always put players first—prioritizing the gaming experience, game development, and the players themselves," Keighley said.

"He left behind an incredible legacy... I always felt he had his greatest work yet to come. It's heartbreaking that we will never get to play it."

It is a poignant twist that in a past interview, Zampella revealed that even Ridley Scott, the director of Alien, had expressed interest in making a Call of Duty movie, which never came to fruition. He laughed bitterly and said that video game movies were almost always bad back then, and they didn't take the idea too seriously.

Years later, in September of this year, Activision signed a deal with Paramount Pictures to develop live - action Call of Duty movies and TV series. The two companies issued a joint statement saying the partnership "aims to bring the iconic Call of Duty universe to the big screen and deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience to fans worldwide."

Unfortunately, when the movie finally hits theaters, Vince Zampella, the "father of COD," will never get to see it.

On December 22, multiple foreign media outlets reported that Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn Entertainment, passed away in a traffic accident at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time on December 21, 2025. He was driving a Ferrari 296 GTB on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, and was 55 years old at the time of his death. Another passenger in the vehicle also lost their life in the crash.

Born on October 1, 1970, Zampella was one of the three founders of the renowned studio Infinity Ward, co - founder of Respawn Entertainment, and head of Ripple Effect Studios. He led and participated in the development of numerous blockbuster titles such as the Medal of Honor series, Call of Duty series, Titanfall series, EA's Star Wars series, Apex Legends, and Battlefield 6.

Even casual gamers can grasp the immense significance of Vince Zampella just by looking at these game titles. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest FPS game creators in the world, and for many, there was no "one of" about it.

Zampella's sudden passing sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Electronic Arts (EA), the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, issued a statement saying: "This is an unimaginable loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Vince's family, loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince's impact on the video game industry was profound and far - reaching."

Respawn Entertainment posted: "Vince Zampella was a giant and a legend in the industry. His charismatic qualities of encouraging bold creativity and trusting his team will be remembered even more than the games themselves."

Infinity Ward stated: "As one of our founders, Vince Zampella will always hold a special place in our history, and the influence of his work is immeasurable."

Beyond these official statements, gamers mourned not only the end of a great FPS legacy they had experienced firsthand but also a glorious chapter that is always mentioned in the transformation of modern FPS games.

IW and the Father of COD

After rising to fame, Vince Zampella held many titles: co - founder of IW, founder of Respawn Entertainment, FPS legend, etc. But in the beginning, like any ordinary person, he was just an avid gamer.

A dedicated gamer since childhood, Zampella started with Pong, then moved on to the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64. In a 2016 interview with IGN, he said his favorite childhood game was Donkey Kong: "I would spend hours playing it at the arcade."

Early in his career, a friend helped him land a job at GameTek, a game publisher in the late 1980s and early 1990s known for creating video game adaptations of TV game shows. He described his role in this small team as: "Producer/customer service/tester—basically, I did everything."

In 1997, he met Jason West, who would become his long - time collaborator for 15 years. At that time, Zampella was a producer at SegaSoft, and he hired West's Dallas - based game company to develop a role - playing game called Skies. Their professional relationship soon turned into a friendship. Two years later, West joined a little - known game startup called 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the lead developer and persuaded Zampella to come on board as the lead producer.

As the lead designer, Zampella created his first blockbuster hit. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the third installment in the highly acclaimed World War II shooter series Medal of Honor, was inspired by the movie Saving Private Ryan and co - created by Zampella and Steven Spielberg. Zampella envisioned a new type of shooter game that aimed to deliver an epic, cinematic immersive experience. The game was an instant success upon release, earning widespread praise for its global storytelling and intense action sequences—especially its brilliant depiction of the Omaha Beach landing.

"I was blown away," said Danny Bilson, a USC game writing professor and former executive vice president of THQ, who oversaw the entire Medal of Honor series as a producer at EA at the time. "It was one of the most immersive games I had ever seen." Released in January 2002, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault sold over one million copies in just ten months, an extraordinary achievement that made it one of the most successful PC games of all time. Even today, it still has a large and loyal fan base.

This success also gave EA the idea to break free from the previous settings of the IP, and to this day, it remains one of the most iconic levels in video game history. It showed what could be achieved when creativity was allowed to run wild without being constrained by conventions. It was so perfectly balanced that even if you tried to break its systems, it would keep running like a well - oiled clock.

"Sneaking through the eerie and desolate Pripyat is a masterclass in level design, thanks to Zampella, who was then leading developer Infinity Ward and encouraged and nurtured such rich creativity."

"The single - player campaign of Modern Warfare was a milestone in itself (among many other achievements, it featured one of the most memorable and spectacular cutscenes in gaming history). But when combined with the multiplayer mode, it created perhaps the most revolutionary multiplayer shooter before Fortnite—a title that laid the foundation for a franchise that would later take the world by storm."

"Zampella led the development of the legendary Call of Duty, Battlefield, Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Star Wars Jedi series. His influence on 21st - century video games is undeniable. He was not only a pioneer of first - person shooters, but his unwavering passion for creating cinematic gaming experiences has shaped the entire industry for decades."

Laura Miele, Chief Operating Officer of EA, commented on Zampella: "The entertainment he created defined culture and transcended the boundaries of gaming itself." "His ability to lead studios, unite developers, and deliver world - class gaming experiences was unparalleled."

Zampella himself once said that he was not limited to making shooter games. Creating a title like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a deliberate attempt to break away from his previous creative style. He loved challenging himself, his team, and creating innovative and exciting works—that was what motivated him.

After Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion and gained ownership of the classic Call of Duty IP, Zampella said: "Yeah, that number feels surreal. Even before that, people who didn't play games or know much about the industry had heard of Call of Duty. It was almost a household name. I'd be watching TV and hear someone mention Call of Duty. I feel incredibly honored that something I created has crossed over into popular culture."

After parting ways with Activision, Zampella gave advice to other game creatives who had strained relationships with publishers and were considering going independent. One of them was Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series.

Following Zampella's death, Kojima wrote with deep sorrow: "When I was preparing to go independent, he took the time to listen to my ideas, offer advice, and support me in many ways, perhaps because he felt we were in similar situations." "He even gave me a tour of his studio. Even after he joined DICE, we would meet for dinner every time I was in Los Angeles and talk about our futures."

Geoff Keighley, founder of The Game Awards, who was not involved in the research but participated in the peer review, said: "This is a hopeful finding for those of us who were not child prodigies. More often than not, the tortoise ultimately outruns the hare." He also collaborated with Zampella on a documentary about Titanfall.

"Even in difficult or uncomfortable situations, Vince never wavered in his commitment to honesty and transparency. He firmly believed that the truth mattered and was willing to share it with the world. Vince deeply valued doing the right thing. Even while working in large organizations, he always put players first—prioritizing the gaming experience, game development, and the players themselves," Keighley said.

"He left behind an incredible legacy... I always felt he had his greatest work yet to come. It's heartbreaking that we will never get to play it."

It is a poignant twist that in a past interview, Zampella revealed that even Ridley Scott, the director of Alien, had expressed interest in making a Call of Duty movie, which never came to fruition. He laughed bitterly and said that video game movies were almost always bad back then, and they didn't take the idea too seriously.

Years later, in September of this year, Activision signed a deal with Paramount Pictures to develop live - action Call of Duty movies and TV series. The two companies issued a joint statement saying the partnership "aims to bring the iconic Call of Duty universe to the big screen and deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience to fans worldwide."

Unfortunately, when the movie finally hits theaters, Vince Zampella, the "father of COD," will never get to see it.