The games industry pays tribute to the late Vince Zampella: 'Thank you, Vince—You were one of the good ones'

The games industry was shaken this week by the tragic news that Vince Zampella—co-founder of Infinity Ward and the creative force behind Respawn Entertainment—has died in a car accident in north Los Angeles. A passenger in the vehicle was also killed in the crash. Zampella’s passing marks the loss of one of the most influential figures in modern videogame history.

Zampella’s impact on games is difficult to overstate. His first major credit came as lead designer on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, before he co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 alongside Grant Collier and Jason West. That studio would go on to redefine first-person shooters with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, reshaping not just a franchise, but the genre itself.

After a high-profile split with Activision, Zampella and West founded Respawn Entertainment. Under his leadership, Respawn delivered the Titanfall series, Apex Legends, and the critically acclaimed Star Wars Jedi games, all while Zampella continued to guide multiple studios at Electronic Arts, including Ripple Effect.

In the days following the news, tributes have poured in from across the industry. Many former colleagues and collaborators emphasized not just Zampella’s creative brilliance, but his character. He was repeatedly described as a leader who treated everyone with respect, listened closely, and fiercely protected the people he worked with.

Legendary FPS designer John Romero called Zampella’s influence “monumental,” while Epic’s Donald Mustard described him as “absolutely heartbroken,” praising both his innovation and humanity. Former Infinity Ward developer Jon Porter recalled that despite being a studio owner, Zampella never acted above anyone, instead fostering a culture that set a standard across the industry.

Respawn staff echoed similar sentiments. Developers described him as the kind of leader every creative hopes to work for—one who gave teams the confidence and freedom to build something meaningful. Friends and peers consistently highlighted how Zampella always made time for people, whether at industry events or behind the scenes.

Industry veterans also paid tribute to his broader legacy. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford called him a close friend and a powerful creative ally, while Geoff Keighley praised Zampella’s rare ability to balance visionary leadership with a player-first mindset. Many expressed heartbreak at the sense that, even after everything he achieved, Zampella still had more to give.

From Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon to Hideo Kojima, tributes underscored the same truth: Vince Zampella didn’t just make successful games—he helped shape modern gaming itself. His influence lives on in the studios he built, the games he created, and the countless developers he inspired.

Vince Zampella leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, one that will continue to be felt every time players drop into a multiplayer match, sprint across a futuristic battlefield, or experience a carefully crafted single-player adventure. He will be deeply missed.