Zampella, the head of Respawn Entertainment and a former chief executive of Infinity Ward, died at the scene of a single-car accident in the San Gabriel Mountains, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported at about 12:45 p.m. on the winding scenic road north of Los Angeles. Authorities said a southbound Ferrari veered off the roadway just after exiting a tunnel, struck a concrete barrier, and burst into flames. Zampella, who was driving, became trapped in the burning vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger was ejected during the crash and later died at a hospital. The passenger’s identity has not yet been released.
Investigators have not determined what caused the crash. A witness provided video to authorities showing a red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS slamming into the barrier moments after exiting the tunnel. The high-performance sports car is a hybrid model capable of more than 800 horsepower.
Zampella was widely respected for helping shape some of the most successful and influential video games of the past two decades. He co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, and the studio was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017. Respawn went on to create major hits including Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Before Respawn, Zampella led Infinity Ward, the studio behind the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, which became one of the best-selling video game series in history. In later years, he also oversaw development teams at EA working on the Battlefield franchise.
“He really knew how to create stories and experiences that hit at the heart of the human experience,” said Gene Park, a video game critic for The Washington Post who had met Zampella. Park described him as humble and deeply aware of the impact his work had on players around the world.
In a statement, Electronic Arts called Zampella’s death “an unimaginable loss.”
“Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching,” the company said. “A friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers worldwide.”
As tributes continue to pour in from across the gaming community, Zampella is being remembered not just for blockbuster franchises, but for pushing video games forward as a powerful form of storytelling. His legacy, colleagues say, will continue to shape how games are made—and how players connect with them—for generations to come.
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