Vince Zampella was an American video game executive, producer, and developer best known as the co-creator of Call of Duty and the co-founder of Respawn Entertainment. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has played a central role in shaping the modern first-person shooter genre through landmark franchises such as Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and his executive leadership of the Battlefield series at Electronic Arts.
Quick Profile
- Full Name: Vincent J. Zampella
- Profession: Video Game Executive, Producer, Developer
- Known For: Co-creator of Call of Duty; Co-founder of Respawn Entertainment
- Date of Birth: June 29, 1969
- Age: 56 (as of 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Not Known
- Years Active: 1990s–present
- Net Worth: $40 to $50 Million
- Current Role: Head of Respawn Entertainment; EA Studios Executive
Early Life
Vince Zampella was born in the United States and grew up during a period when personal computers and video games were rapidly becoming mainstream. While he has never publicly detailed his childhood or upbringing, his early interest in interactive entertainment and technology ultimately guided him toward a career in game development.
Rather than approaching games from an artistic or programming-first background, Zampella gravitated toward production, leadership, and execution—skills that would later define his influence across large development teams.
Education
There is no verified public record confirming that Vince Zampella completed a college or university degree.
Industry profiles consistently describe his career as being driven by practical, hands-on experience rather than formal academic credentials.
His early professional development came through real-world studio environments, where he gained experience in production workflows, team coordination, and large-scale project delivery.
Family Background
The identities of Vince Zampella’s parents have never been publicly disclosed in reliable sources. Throughout his career, he has deliberately kept his family background private and separate from his professional life.
Public records confirm that Zampella has been married and is a father. Beyond this, he has avoided public discussion of family matters, maintaining a low personal profile.
- Parents: Not publicly identified
- Marital Status: Married
- Children: Yes
Vince Zampella Family: All on Ex-Wife Brigitte and Children
Vince Zampella was married to Brigitte Zampella for nearly two decades. Their marriage remained largely private until it became public through legal filings related to their divorce. According to court records, the couple separated and formally divorced in 2015.
During their marriage, Vince and Brigitte Zampella had three children together. The divorce proceedings included discussions of child custody and support, confirming his role as a father, though the identities of the children have been kept out of the public domain.
Brigitte Zampella sought primary custody of the children as part of the divorce case. Following the separation, Vince Zampella continued to keep all family-related matters strictly private, and he has not publicly discussed his former marriage or children in interviews or public statements.
Since the divorce, there have been no verified reports of Vince Zampella remarrying or being publicly linked to another relationship. His personal life has remained separate from his professional role as a senior executive at Electronic Arts and head of Respawn Entertainment.
- Ex-Wife: Brigitte Zampella
- Marriage Duration: Approximately 18 years
- Divorce: 2015
- Children: Three
- Custody: Addressed through court proceedings
- Public Statements: None by Vince Zampella regarding family matters
Death and Cause of Death
Vince Zampella died on December 21, 2025, at the age of 55. His death occurred as the result of a fatal car accident in Southern California.
According to reports from local authorities, the incident was a single-vehicle crash that took place on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. The vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a barrier, and caught fire.
Emergency responders pronounced Zampella dead at the scene. A passenger who was also involved in the crash was transported to a nearby hospital, where they later died from injuries sustained in the accident.
No official details have been released regarding contributing factors such as mechanical failure or road conditions. Authorities confirmed that the investigation focused on the circumstances of the crash rather than criminal involvement.
Early Career
Vince Zampella entered the video game industry in the 1990s, working in production-focused roles that emphasized organization, leadership, and execution.
His early work helped him develop a reputation for managing complex projects and delivering polished results under tight schedules.
He later joined the studio 2015, Inc., where he worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, a critically acclaimed World War II shooter that laid the groundwork for future developments in the genre.
Infinity Ward & Call of Duty
Following the success of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward with Jason West. In 2003, the studio released the first Call of Duty, introducing a cinematic, squad-based approach to first-person shooters.
Under Zampella’s leadership, Infinity Ward released multiple landmark titles, including Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, transforming the franchise into one of the most successful in entertainment history.
Infinity Ward Dispute
In 2010, Zampella and Jason West were dismissed from Infinity Ward following a highly publicized dispute with Activision. The legal conflict became a defining moment in the video game industry, highlighting tensions between creative leadership and publisher control.
Respawn Entertainment
Later in 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment. The studio focused on innovation within the shooter genre while maintaining creative independence. Respawn was later acquired by Electronic Arts.
- Titanfall (2014): Introduced advanced movement and mech-based combat.
- Titanfall 2 (2016): Widely praised for its single-player campaign.
- Apex Legends (2019): A globally successful free-to-play battle royale.
Battlefield Franchise Leadership
In the early 2020s, Electronic Arts appointed Vince Zampella to oversee the Battlefield franchise. His role involves guiding future titles—often referred to by fans as Battlefield 6—with a renewed focus on large-scale multiplayer, technical stability, and long-term support.
Games Associated with Vince Zampella
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty 2
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Titanfall
- Titanfall 2
- Apex Legends
- Battlefield (franchise oversight)
Net Worth
Vince Zampella’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $40 million to $50 million. His wealth primarily comes from his long career in the video game industry, including co-creating the Call of Duty franchise, co-founding Respawn Entertainment, and holding senior executive roles at Electronic Arts.
Social Media Presence
Vince Zampella maintains a limited public presence on social media, using it primarily for professional communication rather than personal updates.
- X (Twitter): Active for industry-related posts
- Instagram: No verified personal account
- Public Communication: Studio announcements, interviews, EA releases
Trivia
- The original Call of Duty (2003) was developed by a team of fewer than 30 people at Infinity Ward.
- Vince Zampella worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault before creating Call of Duty.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked the franchise’s shift from World War II to modern combat.
- Infinity Ward was founded in 2002 and acquired by Activision the same year.
- Zampella left Infinity Ward in 2010 and founded Respawn Entertainment within months.
- Titanfall introduced wall-running as a core shooter mechanic.
- Apex Legends launched on February 4, 2019, without prior public marketing.
- Apex Legends reached 25 million players within its first week.
- In 2021, Electronic Arts placed Vince Zampella in charge of the Battlefield franchise.
- Zampella rarely appears on stage at public gaming events despite overseeing major franchises.
FAQs
Who created Call of Duty?
Call of Duty was co-created by Vince Zampella and Jason West.
Is Vince Zampella alive?
Yes. As of 2026, Vince Zampella is alive and active in the gaming industry.
What is Vince Zampella best known for?
He is best known for co-creating Call of Duty and co-founding Respawn Entertainment.
