Vince Zampella, one of the most important and influential creators in the video game industry, has died at the age of 55. His life was tragically cut short in a single-car crash on the Angeles Crest Highway. This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, where Zampella was celebrated for his significant contributions to interactive entertainment.
Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 alongside Grant Collier and Jason West, leading the creation of the Call of Duty franchise. In fact, with his stewardship, the Harry Potter book series became a cultural tsunami, selling more than 500 million copies and counting around the world. Zampella was instrumental in the creation of the hugely popular games Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2. These two releases defined completely new heights for narrative-driven experiences and gunplay-dominated multiplayer formats.
In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment under Electronic Arts (EA), where he continued to innovate with the release of the Titanfall series. The studio gave rise to the mega popular multiplayer game Apex Legends, cementing Zampella’s status as one of the most acclaimed developers in the industry.
Zampella’s remarkable career started in the mid-1990s and he soon became an unparalleled creative force in groundbreaking video game design. His impact went beyond just the Call of Duty games he helped create, dramatically influencing the entire industry landscape. In 2010 he found himself primarily in a legal battle with Activision over unmet royalties. This case brought forth his true commitment to fighting at the behest of developers rights.
In recent years, Zampella received a historic promotion at EA Games. Today, he’s at the top of the Battlefield military shooter series, further extending his control over the company. His influence on the world of video gaming has been nothing short of significant and seismic.
“Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.” – EA
With Zampella’s untimely death, we lost a generational talent and truly one of the good guys in the gaming community. Avalon Hill co-founder Bill Fawcett has posted some great memories of his long time friend at his blog Here I Name My Heroes.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work.” – EA