The gaming world is mourning the loss of Vince Zampella, a legendary figure whose influence shaped modern first-person shooters. Zampella, co-creator of the renowned Call of Duty series and founder of Respawn Entertainment, tragically passed away at the age of 55.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has passed away aged 55.
Tragic Accident Claims Two Lives
Reports suggest that Zampella and another individual lost their lives in a traffic accident in Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Mountains. Their vehicle crashed into a barrier while exiting a tunnel.
Pioneering the FPS Genre
Zampella was a cornerstone in the establishment of the first-person shooter genre, making his mark at Infinity Ward by co-founding the Call of Duty series. He was instrumental in the creation of iconic titles such as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2, released in 2009. In 2010, he embarked on a new journey by establishing Respawn Entertainment with fellow Infinity Ward co-founder Jason West. The studio gained fame for the Titanfall series and later became part of Electronic Arts, launching the immensely popular battle royale game Apex Legends.
After these achievements, Zampella took the helm at Ripple Effect Studios, part of DICE’s Los Angeles-based branch. Here, he guided the development of Battlefield 6, which garnered award nominations after a successful debut.
Lasting Influence on Esports
Beyond his development prowess, Zampella significantly impacted the early days of Call of Duty esports. Mike ‘Hastr0’ Rufail, founder of ENVY, shared a memorable encounter, recalling how Zampella and Jason West attended the MLG Vegas National Championship in 2008, marking one of the first major acknowledgments of competitive gaming by developers. This led to collaboration between MLG and Activision, cementing Zampella’s role as a champion of esports.
Remembered as a visionary who founded some of gaming’s most influential studios, Zampella leaves behind a profound legacy that forever changed the gaming landscape.