The video game industry is in mourning following the sudden death of Vince Zampella, a pioneering figure best known for co-creating the colossal Call of Duty franchise. He was 55 years old.
His employer, the gaming giant Electronic Arts, confirmed that Zampella passed away on Sunday. The company has not released any details regarding his cause of death.
A Legacy of Blockbuster Games
Zampella's influence on interactive entertainment is almost immeasurable. He was a former chief executive of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for launching the Call of Duty series in 2003. What began as a World War II first-person shooter simulation has since evolved into a global phenomenon, with the franchise selling over 500 million copies worldwide.
In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, which later became a subsidiary of EA. Under his leadership, the studio produced critically acclaimed titles including the action-adventure games Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Tributes from the Industry
In an official statement on Monday, an Electronic Arts spokesperson hailed Zampella as a "friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator." They added that his work "helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world."
Prominent video game journalist and The Game Awards co-creator Geoff Keighley expressed his shock on social media. "Vince was an extraordinary person — a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognise talent," Keighley wrote.
He poignantly added, "While he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It's heartbreaking that we'll never get to play it."
A Lasting Impact on Gaming
Zampella's work continues to resonate far beyond game sales. The Call of Duty franchise has expanded into modern warfare narratives and has a live-action film adaptation currently in production with Paramount Pictures.
His legacy is cemented not just in the games he helped create, but in the culture of development he fostered. Known for empowering creative teams, his approach directly influenced how major studios operate today. The industry has lost a true architect of contemporary gaming, whose vision connected players across the globe for generations.
