Los Angeles, 23 Dec

Video game creator Vince Zampella, best known as the co-creator of the globally popular 'Call of Duty' franchise, has died in a car crash in southern California, according to US media reports. He was 55.

The incident occurred around 12.45 pm on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles, Deadline reported.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the single-vehicle crash involved a Ferrari that veered off the roadway for reasons yet to be determined, struck a concrete barrier and caught fire. Two people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.

CHP said one occupant was ejected from the vehicle while the other remained trapped. Both sustained fatal injuries. Authorities said it is not yet known whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the incident.

Zampella was reportedly driving south along the highway when the crash took place. He died at the scene, while the second occupant was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the global gaming community.

The Game Awards, in a post on X, described Zampella as a co-creator of 'Call of Duty' and a co-founder of Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment, mourning the loss of “a visionary who helped shape modern gaming”.

Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward with Jason West and was part of the original team behind Call of Duty', which went on to become one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. The duo later launched Respawn Entertainment, where Zampella played a key role in developing titles such as Titanfall and Apex Legends.

In a tribute, Respawn Entertainment said Zampella was “a titan and a legend of the industry”, whose influence would be felt for generations.