Video game developer Vince Zampella, whose studios have created several of the world’s best-selling video games, died Sunday afternoon in a car accident on Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California, our affiliate NBC4 Investigates reports.
Zampella, a prominent figure in the video game industry, heads Respawn Entertainment. He was previously CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio behind the popular Call of Duty franchise.
The one-car collision was reported around 12:45 p.m. on a scenic highway north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. The southbound vehicle left the road, struck a concrete barrier and the passenger was ejected, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The driver was trapped in the car fire, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The driver died at the scene of the crash and the passenger died at the hospital, authorities told NBC4 Investigates.
Details about what caused the crash on the winding logging road overlooking Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley were not immediately available. A witness gave authorities video of the crash involving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS.
This mid-engine sports car, which costs close to six figures, is powered by a V6 hybrid engine with a biturbo engine capable of generating more than 819 horsepower.
Zampella, 55, co-founded Chatsworth-based Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio was acquired by video game giant EA in 2017. Respawn Entertainment is known for the video games Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order.
Zampella also led EA’s Playa Vista-based team responsible for the Battlefield video game franchise.
In a statement, EA called Zampella’s impact on the world of video games “profound and important.”
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts go out to Vince’s family, his loved ones and all those affected by his work,” EA said in a statement. “Vince’s impact on the video game industry has been profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of gamers and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to influence how video games are made and how gamers connect for generations to come.”
Our sister network, NBCLA, has reached out to the Zampella family for comment. And he also requested comment from Respawn Entertainment.
