The gaming industry is in mourning following the tragic passing of Vince Zampella, the visionary co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and the driving force behind the Battlefield franchise. Zampella was 55 years old. As first reported by NBC Los Angeles, the esteemed developer lost his life in a vehicular accident on Sunday, December 21, while traveling along the Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California.
Emergency responders confirmed that the driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger later succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital. While it has not been clarified whether Zampella was the driver or the passenger, the loss has sent shockwaves through the community he helped build.
Zampella’s impact on interactive entertainment is immeasurable. In 2010, he partnered with Jason West to establish Respawn Entertainment, a studio that would go on to redefine the shooter genre with titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the critically acclaimed Star Wars Jedi series. Before his tenure at Respawn, Zampella was a cornerstone of Infinity Ward, where he played a pivotal role in the creation of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Following EA’s acquisition of Respawn in 2017, Zampella’s leadership reached new heights. In 2021, he was appointed as the Head of Battlefield, tasked with revitalizing the storied franchise. Under his guidance, the series found its footing again, with Battlefield 6 achieving significant success and restoring player confidence after the turbulent launch of Battlefield 2042.
We have reached out to Electronic Arts for an official statement regarding this devastating news. Our deepest sympathies go out to Zampella’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
The entire staff honors the legacy of a man who changed the landscape of gaming forever.
