What Was Vince Zampella's Net Worth? The Developer Created These Iconic Games Besides 'Call Of Duty'

The gaming world is mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars. Vince Zampella, the powerhouse developer behind some of the most successful shooter franchises in history, has died. The 55-year-old, best known as the developer of the legendary Call of Duty game series, was reported to have died in a devastating car crash on Sunday, December 21, 2025. 

Zampella’s death followed a reported single-car crash in Southern California, though details of the victims remained under wraps until now. Today, the world is mourning the creator, who became a global name for the Call of Duty franchise, with more than 500 million registered users worldwide. However, Zampella’s contributions extended far beyond CoD. Here’s a closer look at the gaming titan’s impressive portfolio that added to his staggering net worth.

How did Vince Zampella die?

Vince Zampella became the victim of a single-vehicle car crash in Los Angeles County, California, which occurred around 12:45 p.m. (local time). He was driving a red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS in the San Gabriel Mountains when, after exiting a tunnel, it suddenly struck a concrete barrier. A witness shared a video of the crash, showing the car slamming into the barrier before erupting into flames within seconds as onlookers rushed in for help.

While authorities have not publicly released all details and names, preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle was travelling southbound on the Angeles Crest Highway when it “veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed”. While the passenger was thrown off the vehicle, the driver (Zampella) remained trapped. Both the driver and a passenger were said to have died from the injuries. Investigators have stated the cause of the crash remains under review, and it is unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role.

Inside Venice Zampella's staggering net worth

Zampella has dominated the entertainment industry since the early 2000s, and through his contributions, he has amassed a massive fortune from his studios and gaming franchises. Before Infinity Ward, Zampella honed his creative instincts through hands-on production work, including producing NBA Jam Tournament Edition and Baldies for the Atari Jaguar in 1995. His wealth primarily came from his two powerhouse studios, Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment. 

After being fired from Infinity Ward in 2010, Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment, championing creative freedom to help release iconic hits such as Titanfall and Apex Legends. In 2017, the company was acquired by Electronic Arts for USD 455 million, further solidifying its executive positioning. At the time of his passing, Zampella’s total fortune was estimated at USD 40 million, according to multiple reports.

Vince Zampella’s contribution beyond Call of Duty: Titanfall, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi, and more

Vince Zampella has been a pioneer of modern gaming, not only as a creator but also as a tech executive and an ideal leader. According to MobyGames, Zampella amassed more than 55 career credits over his two-decade career, spanning 33 titles, from early production work on NBA Jam Tournament Edition to executive oversight of Battlefield 6, which was officially released on October 10, 2025. 

Zampella shot to global fame in the early 2000s for the Call of Duty franchise, its Infinity Ward era cementing the game as a global juggernaut. The 2009 version, Modern Warfare 2, amassed over USD 1 billion in sales worldwide. The following year, he collaborated with EA to launch Medal of Honor, another million-dollar project which, though not as popular as CoD, pivoted to focus afterwards. Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (2020) saw innovative gameplay through VR technology.

After launching the critically acclaimed Titanfall series (Titanfall, 2014; Titanfall 2, 2016), Zampella once topped the charts with his 2019 release, Apex Legends. This free-to-play game was an instant hit worldwide, generating more than USD 2 billion in lifetime revenue by 2025. Did you know, the iconic Star Wars Jedi series was also Zampella’s creation? Yes! The gaming titan launched Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in 2019, which proved to be a major success for EA, selling over 10 million copies worldwide in the first year.  

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) was yet another strong launch that continued Respawn’s Star Wars success, selling millions of copies instantly. Unfortunately, Battlefield 6 (2025) turned out to be Zampella’s final project. Launched only in October, the game’s earnings have not been fully disclosed, though initial reactions suggest it’s expected to be yet another multi-billion-dollar powerhouse.

After his tragic passing, Respawn remembered Zampella as a “titan and legend” who believed that players and developers always came first. Its statement on social media, shared after his death, can be read as:

“Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series, and Battlefield for our community in ways that will be felt for generations. His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio…he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered.”

Zampella’s surviving family

Picture Courtesy: Tara Rochelle Photography

Despite his high-profile career, Vince Zampella kept his personal life firmly out of the spotlight. He was married to Brigitte Zampella for 18 years, and the couple shared three children before amicably divorcing in 2015. Brigitte sought primary custody of their children, who were minors at the time of the filing, along with spousal support. He is survived by his three children, two sons and a daughter, whose details remain private.

Picture Courtesy: Tara Rochelle Photography

Vince Zampella’s multi-million-dollar fortune tells only part of the story. His legacy lives on through millions of players who found escapism in his games, forming communities around the worlds he helped build and, in the process, redefining modern gaming.

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