Vince Zampella, a pivotal figure in the video game industry and co-creator of the immensely popular "Call of Duty" franchise, has passed away at the age of 55. Electronic Arts, the video game company, confirmed his death on Sunday, though the cause has not been disclosed.
Zampella was a foundational member of the gaming world, co-founding Respawn Entertainment in 2010, which operates as a subsidiary of EA. Prior to that, he held the position of chief executive at Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for the creation and initial success of the "Call of Duty" series. His contributions were instrumental in shaping modern interactive entertainment, inspiring countless players and fellow developers globally. The "Call of Duty" franchise alone has achieved monumental success, with over half a billion games sold worldwide since its debut in 2003 as a World War II simulation.
Beyond "Call of Duty," Zampella also played a leading role in the development of recent acclaimed titles such as "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" and "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor." Colleagues and industry peers, like video game journalist Geoff Keighley, have expressed shock and profound sadness, remembering Zampella as a visionary executive with a unique talent for identifying and nurturing creative talent, empowering them to produce groundbreaking work. Keighley noted Zampella's deep passion for gaming and his ability to foster greatness in others, lamenting that his potential for future masterpieces will now remain unrealized.