The video game industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures. Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the monumental Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has died. He was 55 years old.
A Visionary's Sudden Passing
Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment, confirmed that Zampella passed away on Sunday. The company did not release details regarding the cause of his death. Zampella's career was a cornerstone of modern interactive entertainment, beginning with his role as a former chief executive at Infinity Ward, the studio that launched Call of Duty.
In an official statement on Monday, an EA spokesperson hailed Zampella's "profound and far-reaching" influence. The statement described him as a friend, colleague, leader, and visionary whose work inspired millions of players and developers globally. It concluded that his legacy would continue to influence game development and player communities for generations.
Building Gaming Empires
Zampella's most famous achievement remains the creation of the Call of Duty franchise. The first-person shooter debuted in 2003 as a World War II simulation and has since grown into a global phenomenon, with total sales exceeding 500 million copies worldwide. The series evolved into modern warfare settings and has a live-action film adaptation in production with Paramount Pictures.
In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, which later became a subsidiary of EA. Under his leadership, the studio produced critically acclaimed titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, proving his ability to innovate beyond the shooter genre.
An Industry Remembers a Giant
Tributes from across the gaming world have poured in, highlighting Zampella's unique talents and character. 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 recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great," Keighley wrote. He added a poignant note, saying, "And 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."
The loss of Vince Zampella leaves a significant void in the creative landscape of video games. His journey from building a World War II simulation to guiding a beloved Star Wars series demonstrates a relentless drive for quality and innovation that will define his enduring legacy.
