LOS ANGELES \u2014 Video game development figure Vince Zampella, known for the creation of the hit \u201cCall of Duty\u201d franchise, has died, Electronic Arts said Monday. He was 55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Arts did not disclose a cause of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBC Los Angeles reported Monday that Zampella died in a car crash Sunday afternoon on the Angeles Crest Highway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The California Highway Patrol said that it was called for a report of a crash on that highway at 12:43 p.m. Sunday and that the driver and a passenger died. The CHP did not name the people who died in the crash in unincorporated Los Angeles County, citing the notification of next of kin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said that \u201cfor unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway\u201d and struck a concrete barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Arts, commonly known as EA, said Monday that Zampella was a visionary whose \u201cwork helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince\u2019s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work,\u201d EA said in a statement. \u201cVince\u2019s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zampella co-created Infinity Ward, which is the studio that published \u201cCall of Duty\u201d in 2003. The title has had many versions since and is a very popular first-person shooter game. \u201cCall of Duty: Black Ops 7\u201d was released in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zampella also co-founded Respawn Entertainment, which created the \u201cTitanfall\u201d games, among others. EA acquired Respawn Entertainment in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zampella also led the team at DICE LA, according to his biography at the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, where he was a member of the board of directors. The academy said it was heartbroken by his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis leadership, creativity, & generosity inspired all who worked with him. Vince\u2019s impact will be felt for generations. Our thoughts are with his family & friends during this difficult time,\u201d the academy, known as AIAS, said on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DICE created the “Battlefield” series, which is another first-person military shooter. The latest in that franchise, “Battlefield 6,” was published in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official X account for that game said Battlefield Studios was heartbroken and called Zampella “a creative leader whose work shaped generations of players and helped define what modern shooters and action games could be.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Across a remarkable career, Vince played a foundational role in franchises including Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series,” it said in a statement. “During his time guiding Battlefield, he led with care and purpose, always grounding decisions in what mattered most to the community and the long-term future of the franchise.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n