Vince Zampella, the influential video game developer who co-created the blockbuster Call of Duty series, has died following a car crash in California. He was 55.

Zampella’s death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment, the studio he co-founded.

Authorities said Zampella was traveling in a Ferrari with another person when the vehicle crashed and caught fire on a Los Angeles-area highway on Sunday. Both occupants of the car were killed.

According to officials, the passenger was ejected from the vehicle, while the driver remained trapped inside. It has not been confirmed whether Zampella was driving or the identity of the second person.

“For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier and became fully engulfed in flames,” the California Highway Patrol said in a statement.

In a message shared with the BBC, Electronic Arts paid tribute to Zampella’s legacy.

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones and everyone whose lives were touched by his work,” a company spokesperson said.

Zampella co-created Call of Duty in 2003 alongside longtime collaborators Jason West and Grant Collier. Inspired in part by World War II, the franchise went on to sell more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most successful properties in gaming history and a cornerstone of Activision, now owned by Microsoft. A live-action film adaptation is also in development.

Beyond Call of Duty, Zampella played a central role in other major franchises, including Medal of Honor, Titanfall and Apex Legends.

“He genuinely cared about the player experience,” said Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian, speaking to BBC Newshour. “He cared deeply about how people felt when they played his games, and that always came through when you spoke with him.”

In 2010, Zampella and West were dismissed from Activision, leading to a high-profile legal dispute that was settled out of court in 2012. Following that chapter, Zampella joined Electronic Arts, where he worked on major projects including Battlefield 6, a direct competitor to Call of Duty.

Infinity Ward, the original developer of Call of Duty, also honored Zampella’s impact.

“Vince will always have a special place in our history,” the studio said in a statement. “Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable.”