Battlefield 6 creator doesn’t mince words: “Call of Duty exists because EA executives are idiots”

Vince Zampella, head of Battlefield and Respawn Entertainment, spoke bluntly about the rivalry with Call of Duty. In an interview he reflected on the start of his career and described how decisions by EA’s leadership helped give rise to Battlefield’s main competitor.

Battlefield 6 has been a major success — earning strong reviews and rekindling interest in the franchise’s classic elements. Players have praised its large-scale battles, realism, and the atmosphere that harks back to earlier entries. Many attribute that return-to-form to Zampella’s direction.

The developer is a legend in the shooter world. He worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Star Wars Jedi. After leaving EA in 2002, he co-founded Infinity Ward and helped launch Call of Duty, which grew into a global phenomenon.

“The only reason Call of Duty exists is because the bosses at EA were jerks back then,” Zampella said.

He explained that following Medal of Honor’s success the team didn’t receive proper recognition and ultimately decided to depart. That departure led directly to the birth of a new series that became Battlefield’s chief rival.

Now the story has come full circle: the man who once helped create EA’s rival now oversees one of its flagship franchises. Under his leadership Battlefield 6 has shifted back to fast-paced combat and the spirit of the old school. Zampella has once again demonstrated an ability to reshape the shooter genre.

Source: iXBT.games