The video game industry mourns the loss of Vince Zampella, a pioneering executive and creative force behind the record-breaking “Call of Duty” franchise. Zampella, 55, passed away Sunday, according to an declaration from Electronic Arts, prompting an outpouring of grief from fellow developers and fans alike. As co-founder of both Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment, Zampella’s influence extends across multiple generations of gaming, leaving an indelible mark on the interactive entertainment landscape.
AP
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Vince Zampella, a key creative force behind the blockbuster “Call of Duty” franchise, has died at the age of 55.
Electronic Arts announced Zampella’s passing on Sunday, but did not disclose the cause of death.
Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, which operates as a subsidiary of EA. He also previously served as CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for launching the massively successful “Call of Duty” series – a franchise that has become a cornerstone of the gaming industry.
An Electronic Arts spokesperson stated on Monday that Zampella’s impact on the video game world 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 globe. His legacy will continue to influence game creation and connect players for generations to come,” the spokesperson wrote.
Zampella’s most significant achievement was arguably the creation of the “Call of Duty” franchise, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
The first-person shooter debuted in 2003 as a World War II simulation and has since evolved into a global phenomenon, exceeding 500 million units sold globally. Paramount Pictures is currently developing a live-action film adaptation based on the game.
More recently, Zampella spearheaded the development of the action-adventure video games “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” and “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,” expanding his creative reach beyond the “Call of Duty” universe.
Geoff Keighley, a prominent video game journalist and co-creator of The Game Awards, expressed shock at Zampella’s sudden death.
“Vince was an extraordinary person: a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with an exceptional ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great,” Keighley wrote on social media Monday.
“I’ll miss our dinners and long conversations. And while he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt his best work was still ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it,” he added.
