Vince Zampella, a defining figure in modern video game development and the current head of the Battlefield franchise, has died following a car accident in California. He was 55.
The crash reportedly took place on Sunday afternoon along the Angeles Crest Highway. Authorities have stated it was a single-vehicle incident in which the car left the road and hit a concrete barrier. Two people were inside the vehicle, and both later passed away. Zampella was believed to be driving at the time.
A career that shaped modern shooters
Vince Zampella took charge of Battlefield in 2021, stepping in during a turbulent period for the series and helping steer its long-term direction. While his tenure with the franchise was relatively short, his broader impact on the shooter genre spans decades.
He first made his mark as a co-founder of Infinity Ward, playing a major role in the creation of Call of Duty. After departing the studio in 2010, he co-founded Respawn Entertainment, which later delivered Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series following its acquisition by Electronic Arts.
In a statement released on Monday, EA described Vince Zampella’s passing as an “unimaginable loss”, calling his influence on the industry profound. The official Battlefield team also paid tribute, praising his leadership style, trust in developers, and commitment to the community.
Zampella is survived by three children, with tributes continuing to surface from across the games industry.
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