Vince Zampella, a renowned video game designer and co-creator of the Call of Duty series, has died in a car crash in southern California. The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon on the Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles, claiming the lives of Zampella, 55, and another person in the vehicle.

Zampella’s contributions to the gaming industry are immeasurable. He co-founded Infinity Ward studio in 2002, which led to the development of the iconic first-person shooter Call of Duty in 2003. He played a crucial role in creating some of the series’ most acclaimed entries, including Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2. The Call of Duty series has since grown to encompass nearly two dozen games, selling over half a billion units worldwide.

After being dismissed from Infinity Ward, Zampella successfully sued Activision for tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties and bonuses. He then co-founded Respawn studio with Jason West in 2010, which released two Titanfall games under his leadership. The company was acquired by EA in 2017, and under Zampella’s guidance, released successful titles such as Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

EA released a statement expressing their condolences, describing Zampella’s influence on the video game industry as “profound and far-reaching.” The company acknowledged his role as a “friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator” whose work inspired millions of players and developers worldwide.

Zampella’s legacy will continue to shape the gaming industry, with his contributions to franchises such as Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends remaining significant. His passing has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with many paying tribute to his innovative spirit and creative genius. As the industry mourns the loss of a pioneer, his work will remain a testament to his enduring impact on modern interactive entertainment.