Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash

December 23, 2025

Vince Zampella, the 55-year-old co-creator of the Call of Duty video game franchise, died in a single-vehicle Ferrari crash on a Los Angeles highway that resulted in a fire. The influential game developer, who also created successful titles including Titanfall and Apex Legends, was traveling with another person when their vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier, killing both occupants. Throughout his career, Zampella was known for prioritizing player experience and creating some of gaming's most commercially successful franchises, with Call of Duty alone selling over 500 million copies.

Who is affected

Vince Zampella (deceased)
An unidentified passenger in the vehicle (deceased)
Zampella's family and loved ones
Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment employees
Gaming community including collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier
Journalist Geoff Keighley
Content creators and fans of Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Apex Legends franchises

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article beyond the California Highway Patrol's investigation into the crash circumstances.

Why it matters

Zampella was one of the most influential figures in video game history, having co-created Call of Duty, one of the most commercially successful gaming franchises ever with over 500 million copies sold. His commitment to player experience and game quality helped shape modern gaming, inspiring an entire generation of gamers and content creators. His loss represents the end of a visionary career that fundamentally influenced the first-person shooter genre and the gaming industry as a whole.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC