The gaming world was shaken by tragic news this weekend. Vince Zampella, one of the biggest contributors to the success of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, passed away at the age of 55. His sudden death, following the creation of the Call of Duty series and the success of Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi, shocked the industry.

He died in a traffic accident.

According to press reports, Zampella, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and leader of the Battlefield series, died in a traffic accident north of Los Angeles on Sunday, December 21st. The accident involved a single vehicle; the driver died at the scene, while the passenger died at the hospital. Authorities stated that investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing, and no information has been released regarding which seat Zampella was in.

Zampella began his career in the 90s at Atari, but his real breakthrough came at 2015 Inc. as the lead designer of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. In 2003, he co-founded Infinity Ward with Jason West, launching the Call of Duty legend. Developed as a rival to the Medal of Honor series, this game quickly became one of the world’s most popular brands. After a controversial departure from Infinity Ward in 2010, the duo went their separate ways.

Following their separation, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, where he created successful titles such as the Titanfall series, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. His success at Respawn, which was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017, made him one of the company’s most important figures. Appointed head of the Battlefield series in 2021, Zampella served as both Respawn CEO and leader of the Battlefield brand until his death.

So, which of Vince Zampella’s games did you like the most? What are your thoughts on this legendary figure’s contributions to the gaming world? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!