Keighley was the visionary behind “The Final Hours of Titanfall,” an interactive documentary detailing the genesis of Respawn Entertainment and the development of their landmark shooter.
Geoff Keighley, the creator and host of The Game Awards and a veteran of games journalism, has offered a poignant tribute following the tragic passing of Vince Zampella.
I can barely find the words to express this. Vince Zampella—a colossus of the gaming world, the co-architect of Call of Duty, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment, and a truly dear friend—passed away yesterday following a car accident in Los Angeles. Vince was an extraordinary soul; he was a gamer at his core, but also a brilliant leader with a rare gift for spotting talent and providing others the autonomy and confidence to build something monumental. I witnessed this brilliance firsthand while working on ‘The Final Hours of Titanfall.’ I will always be profoundly grateful to him for trusting me to chronicle the studio’s origin story. Even when the narrative was difficult or uncomfortable, Vince never wavered in his commitment to transparency and truth. He believed that honesty was paramount and was willing to share it with the world. Vince was deeply driven by a sense of integrity. Even within the framework of massive corporations, he fought to put players first—prioritizing the experience, the artistry, and the community. He leaves behind an incomparable legacy. I will miss our dinners and our long, winding conversations. While he was responsible for some of the most influential games in history, I always felt his true masterpiece was still on the horizon. It is a tragedy that we will never have the chance to play it.
Vince Zampella lost his life on December 21 in a vehicle accident in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. State authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the event.
Official statements from Electronic Arts, Respawn Entertainment, and the Zampella family are currently pending.
Source: iXBT.games