The video game industry is in mourning following the tragic news that Vince Zampella, the visionary co-creator of Call of Duty and head of Respawn Entertainment, has passed away at the age of 55. According to reports from the BBC, Zampella died following a serious car accident on December 22, 2025.
His death marks the loss of one of the most influential figures in modern gaming history a man whose work redefined the first-person shooter (FPS) genre and shaped the competitive landscape of the 21st century.
A Legacy of Innovation: From CoD to Apex
Zampella’s career was defined by his ability to capture lightning in a bottle. In 2003, along with Jason West and Grant Collier, he co-founded Infinity Ward and released Call of Duty. The franchise went on to become a multi-billion dollar pillar for Activision, with Zampella’s direction on Modern Warfare (2007) and Modern Warfare 2 (2009) setting the gold standard for cinematic storytelling and multiplayer engagement.
Following a highly publicized departure from Activision, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment. There, he continued his streak of hits with the critically acclaimed Titanfall series and the battle royale phenomenon Apex Legends. Most recently, he had been tasked by Electronic Arts (EA) to lead the Battlefield franchise, successfully steering Battlefield 6 back to its large-scale multiplayer roots.
The “Architect” of Modern Shooters
Colleagues and rivals alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to the “Architect” of the FPS genre. “Vince didn’t just make games; he created cultures,” shared one industry veteran. “Every time you sprint, aim down sights, or call in a killstreak, you are interacting with his DNA.”
Beyond his mechanical contributions, Zampella was known for his fierce advocacy for developer rights and creative independence. His leadership at Respawn created a culture that produced not only top-tier shooters but also the beloved Star Wars Jedi series, proving his versatility as a creative executive.
EA and Respawn Entertainment have yet to issue a full formal statement regarding succession plans, but the loss of his leadership is expected to be felt deeply across their upcoming projects. For fans, Zampella’s passing is a somber end to 2025 a year he spent actively engaging with the community to revitalize some of gaming’s most storied franchises.