How is EA responding to Vince Zampella's death? Company pays tribute to gaming visionary

EA is mourning the loss of Vince Zampella, co-creator of the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise.

In an official statement released shortly after the visionary's death, EA honored his influence and called his passing "unimaginable."

"This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince's family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince's influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching."

EA continued, praising Vince Zampella's contributions to the gaming community.

"A friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come."

Vince Zampella died on Sunday, Dec. 21, after a Ferrari crash on Southern California's Angeles Crest Highway, per NBC4 Investigates. He was 55.

The single-car crash was reported at about 12:35 p.m. According to the California Highway Patrol, the Ferrari veered off the road after exiting a tunnel when it smashed into a concrete barrier.

A passenger was ejected from the vehicle, while Zampella, the driver, was trapped inside the car ablaze. He died on the spot, while the passenger was still brought to the hospital, where he passed, NBC4 Investigates reported.

Details behind what led to the crash were not revealed immediately, although a witness-taken clip captures the crash involving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS hitting the barrier.

Vince Zampella: A glimpse into the gaming visionary's contributions

Vince Zampella, an acclaimed figure in the video game industry, was the head of Respawn Entertainment, which he co-founded in 2010. He was also the former CEO of video game developers Infinity Ward, the studio behind the successful Call of Duty franchise.

Respawn Entertainment was also the studio behind some of the best-known video games, such as Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order. The studio was then acquired by EA in 2017.

In 2020, EA announced Vince Zampella as the lead of DICE LA (later renamed as Ripple Effect Studios). Then, in 2021, he took charge of the Battlefield franchise following the departure of Oskar Gabrielson, general manager of DICE.

Gene Park, a video game critic from The Washington Post, paid tribute to Zampella in a statement:

"He really knew how to create stories and create experiences that really hit at the heart of the human experience, whether it's terror, dread, heroism. I think he was really able to kind of encapsulate that through the designs of the video games he made."

Park continued:

"He was a very, very humble person. He was very well aware of the impact that he made on people, and he never took it for granted."

Vince Zampella is survived by his three children — Quentin, 26; Kyle, 22; and Courtney, 19 — whom he shared with ex-wife Brigitte.

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