Vince Zampella’s daughter, Courtney, has honored her father following his passing at the age of 55.
Zampella, a pivotal figure in the creation of the Call of Duty and Battlefield video game franchises, tragically lost his life on Sunday afternoon (December 21) in a car crash on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway, as reported by NBC4 Investigates.
“For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed,” the California Highway Patrol stated, noting that the car caught fire upon impact.
A video, believed to capture the moment a red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS collided with a barrier after exiting a tunnel and igniting in flames, has gained widespread attention on the internet.
Zampella leaves behind three grown children: Quentin, 26, Kyle, 22, and Courtney, 19, all of whom he had with his ex-wife, Brigitte.
Courtney has now shared a heartfelt tribute to her father on social media.
On her Instagram stories, she shared an image from her childhood, playfully sticking her tongue out while posing alongside Vince.
“My best friend. Forever and always,” she captioned the photo.
Zampella had a distinguished career in the video game industry, known for his contributions to the evolution of modern first-person shooters.
As a co-founder of Infinity Ward, he played a vital role in the development of Call of Duty, and later co-founded Respawn Entertainment, the creators of Titanfall and Apex Legends.
He eventually assumed senior leadership positions at Electronic Arts, managing Respawn and later overseeing EA’s Battlefield and other shooter franchises.
An EA Games spokesperson paid homage to Zampella, calling him “a friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator.” They acknowledged his significant influence on modern interactive entertainment, stating: “His work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.”
They further mentioned: “His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.”