Vince Zampella, CoD and Battlefield Leader, Passes Away in Car Accident

Vince Zampella, co-founder of Infinity Ward and a pivotal figure in the creation of the original Call of Duty, has tragically passed away. He was involved in a single-car accident on December 21 in the San Gabriel Mountains, where his vehicle veered off the road and struck a concrete barrier. Reports indicate that the driver lost their life in a subsequent car fire, while a passenger was ejected and later succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Details surrounding the incident remain sparse.

Zampella began his journey in the gaming industry in the late ’90s, working with companies like GameTek, Atari, Interactive Media/Ripcord Games, and SegaSoft. In 1999, he joined 2015 Inc, where he took the lead on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, a title published by EA. After a fallout with EA, Zampella, along with Grant Collier and Jason West, founded Infinity Ward and teamed up with Activision to launch the Call of Duty franchise in 2003. Zampella famously remarked, “The only reason that Call of Duty exists is because EA were dicks,” during a recent interview.

He and West remained with Activision until 2010, when they were dismissed over alleged insubordination. This led to a lawsuit against Activision, which was settled out of court. They then established Respawn Entertainment, known for hits like Apex Legends, Titanfall, and the Star Wars Jedi series, which was later acquired by EA. In 2020, Zampella was appointed to lead DICE, tasked with revitalizing the Battlefield franchise. His efforts bore fruit earlier this year with the successful launch of Battlefield 6, which received critical acclaim and exceeded sales expectations.

Zampella’s influence on the gaming industry is profound, and many have taken to social media to share their memories of him. Tributes highlight his character and contributions, with friends and colleagues expressing their shock and sorrow at his passing. He is remembered not only as a brilliant game creator but also as a supportive mentor and friend, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate within the gaming community for years to come.