Vince Zampella, the acclaimed video game developer and co-creator of the globally popular Call of Duty series, has died at the age of 55. His passing was confirmed by video game company Electronic Arts (EA) on Monday, December 22. The company, however, did not provide any specific details regarding the cause of his death.

Reports from NBC Los Angeles indicated that Zampella was involved in a car accident on the Angeles Crest Highway, located in the mountains north of Los Angeles, on Sunday. CBS News, citing information from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), stated that the crash occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time (4:45 a.m. Singapore time on December 22). The CHP noted that “for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway” and collided with a concrete barrier. Tragically, both a driver and a passenger lost their lives in the accident. Authorities have not confirmed whether Zampella was the driver or the passenger in the vehicle.

In a statement, EA praised Zampella’s contributions to the gaming industry, describing his influence as “enormous” and “all-encompassing.” The company emphasized that his work played a key role in shaping modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. EA added that Zampella’s legacy would continue to impact how games are developed and how players engage with each other for generations to come.

Infinity Ward, the studio Zampella co-founded and once led, echoed similar sentiments, calling his legacy both “iconic” and “immeasurable.” Under his guidance, Infinity Ward launched the Call of Duty series, which has become one of the best-selling franchises in video game history, with over 500 million copies sold. Last year, the studio released Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Beyond Call of Duty, Zampella was also credited with several other major gaming successes, including Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends. His creativity and vision left a lasting mark on the industry, making him one of the most influential figures in modern gaming.