Video Game Pioneer Vince Zampella, Co-Creator of Call of Duty, Dies at 55
â–Ľ Summary
– Vince Zampella, a creator of the bestselling Call of Duty franchise, has died at the age of 55.
– He was the founder of Respawn Entertainment and the former CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio behind Call of Duty.
– His most notable achievement was creating the Call of Duty series, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
– In recent years, he led the development of the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor video games.
– Industry figures praised him as a visionary leader whose work profoundly shaped modern interactive entertainment.
The video game industry has lost a foundational figure with the passing of Vince Zampella at the age of 55. A co-creator of the monumental Call of Duty franchise and a respected studio leader, Zampella’s unexpected death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, which he founded. The cause of death was not disclosed.
His career trajectory left an indelible mark on interactive entertainment. Before founding Respawn in 2010, Zampella served as the CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for launching the Call of Duty series. That franchise, which began as a World War II simulation in 2003, has grown into a global phenomenon, selling over half a billion copies across numerous iterations that expanded into modern combat and beyond. A live-action film adaptation is currently in development with Paramount Pictures.
An EA spokesperson highlighted the breadth of his influence, stating his work “helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.” They described him as a visionary whose legacy would continue to affect game development and player communities for years to come.
In his later role overseeing Respawn, Zampella guided the creation of acclaimed titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, proving his creative leadership extended far beyond the first-person shooter genre.
Tributes from across the industry poured in, reflecting the profound sense of loss. Geoff Keighley, a prominent video game journalist, expressed his shock and admiration on social media. He remembered Zampella as “a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great.” Keighley added a poignant note, saying, “I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.”
Zampella’s passing leaves a significant void, cutting short a career that had already redefined blockbuster game development and promised further innovation. He is remembered not just for the iconic games he helped create, but for his leadership in fostering the talented teams that brought them to life.
(Source: NPR)
