Vince Zampella, a successful video games developer, has died at the age of 55. He crashed his Ferrari on the Crest Highway in Southern California on Sunday, Dec. 21.
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Most gamers will know Zampella for his work on creating the Call of Duty franchise. Those games have gone on to become some of the most popular in the world. Arguably, second only to Grand Theft Auto.
"The single-car crash was reported at about 12:45 p.m. on the scenic road north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains," NBC Los Angeles reported. "The southbound Ferrari veered off the road just after exiting a tunnel, hit a concrete barrier and a passenger was ejected, the California Highway Patrol said."
Zampella previously co-founded Respawn Entertainment. The studio is behind games such as "Titanfall" and "Apex Legends," both of which are highly popular in their own right. Respawn was acquired by EA in 2017. That then allowed Zampella to work with the team that developed Call of Duty's biggest rival: "Battlefield."
EA Released a Statement Following Vince Zampella's Death
Upon confirmation of Zampella's death, EA released a statement.
"This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince's family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work," the statement read, via People. "Vince's influence on the video game industry 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 world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come."
When looking at the work Zampella and his teams produced, it's clear he was incredibly talented. Not only did he usher in a generation of first-person shooters, but he also successfully helped launch two series that rival each other. That's no easy feat to accomplish.
Zampella's family has yet to comment on his passing. As such, there's no information regarding what led to his crash, nor about his impending funeral. Therefore, it's best to assume the family wants to mourn in peace, outside the purview of the public eye.
