The video game industry is mourning the sudden loss ofVince Zampella, a legendary developer best known as the head ofRespawn Entertainment and a former CEO ofInfinity Ward, the studio behind the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Zampella was involved in a fatal single-car crash around 12:45 p.m. on a winding mountain road in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Authorities say a southbound Ferrari exited a tunnel, veered off the road, and slammed into a concrete barrier. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire, ejecting a passenger. Zampella was trapped in the burning car and pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger later died at a nearby hospital.
The vehicle involved was reportedly a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, a high-performance hybrid sports car capable of over 819 horsepower. Investigators have not yet released details on what caused the crash, though witness video has been turned over to authorities.
Zampella, 55, co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, later acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017. His creative legacy includes Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order. Colleagues remember him as a humble visionary who crafted deeply human, emotionally resonant gaming experiences—an influence that will shape the industry for generations.
