Vince Zampella, the co-creator of Call of Duty and head of Respawn Entertainment, died Sunday after his Ferrari 296 GTS slammed into a barrier and caught fire on Angeles Crest Highway, according to NBC Los Angeles. The single-car crash also killed his passenger and immediately sent shockwaves through the global game-dev community.

The 55-year-old studio boss spent decades defining blockbuster shooters, from Infinity Ward’s original Call of Duty trilogy to Respawn’s Titanfall, Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi franchises. His loss arrives at a moment when Belgium’s gaming scene looks up to international builders who turned passion projects into billion‑dollar IP.

What happened on Angeles Crest Highway

• California Highway Patrol investigators say the southbound Ferrari exited a tunnel, veered into a concrete barrier and erupted in flames around 12:45 p.m.
• Vince Zampella was trapped in the fire while his passenger was ejected and later died at a hospital.
• Witness video shared with authorities shows the 819-horsepower hybrid Ferrari impacting moments after the tunnel exit.
• The CHP is reviewing road conditions, speed and potential mechanical issues, but no formal cause has been released.

Why his death hits the gaming industry so hard

Zampella co-founded Respawn in 2010 after leaving Infinity Ward, bringing with him the cinematic pacing that reshaped competitive shooters. Under EA ownership he also advised the Playa Vista team behind Battlefield.

“He knew how to create stories and create experiences that really hit at the heart of the human experience.” Washington Post critic Gene Park told NBC LA the Respawn boss matched that craft with humility, never taking his influence for granted.

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work.” EA said its statement, reminding fans that the Respawn founder’s approach to narrative shooters inspired how millions connect online.

For Belgian studios chasing their next breakout, Zampella remains a playbook for blending blockbuster scale with community-first storytelling—even as the industry grieves the person behind it.

Source: NBC Los Angeles