Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and influential figure in the video game industry, died at 55 in a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. He was also a co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and led DICE LA, contributing to major franchises like Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Battlefield. EA and industry organizations mourn his loss, recognizing his profound impact on modern gaming.
Vince Zampella, a key figure in the development of the 'Call of Duty' franchise and Respawn Entertainment, died at 55 in a high-speed Ferrari crash on Angeles Crest Highway. The accident involved a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS and is under investigation, with no confirmed details on alcohol or drugs. Zampella was also known for his passion for sports cars and his influential role in modern gaming, leaving behind a legacy that continues to impact the industry.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty series and head of Respawn Entertainment, died at 55 in a car crash in California. He was instrumental in developing some of the most successful video game franchises, including Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Apex Legends, and his influence significantly shaped modern gaming. EA expressed deep sorrow over his loss, highlighting his profound impact on the industry.
Vince Zampella, a prominent video game developer and head of Respawn Entertainment, was killed in a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. He was known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise and other popular games like Titanfall and Apex Legends. The crash involved a single vehicle that veered off the road, resulting in the deaths of Zampella and a passenger. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
EA is considering introducing a monthly subscription service for Apex Legends to boost monetization, as the game has not met profit expectations. A survey was sent to players to gauge interest in a subscription that would offer in-game currency and rewards, while the game remains free-to-play. This move is speculative, with no official plans announced yet.
Apex Legends is introducing a new mode called "Launch Royale" in its latest season, "From the Rift," which allows players to experience the game as it was at its 2019 launch. This nostalgic mode features the original Kings Canyon map, old-school weapons, and movement techniques, without modern updates like EVO Armor. This move mirrors Fortnite's successful nostalgia-driven "Fortnite OG" mode, aiming to rekindle interest in Apex Legends after recent setbacks.
Respawn Entertainment has deployed the first in a series of security updates for Apex Legends after professional player accounts were hacked during the game’s Global Series tournament, causing concern about the game's security. The hacks included abilities to see through walls and use aimbots, prompting the tournament to be paused. While Respawn has issued a statement and deployed updates to protect the player community, concerns about the game's security, particularly on PC, persist. Epic Games-owned Easy Anti-Cheat, used by Apex Legends, has denied any vulnerability within its technology being exploited.
The Apex Legends Global Series tournament was disrupted when pro players were hacked mid-game, with one player receiving a wallhack and another an aimbot. The tournament was subsequently postponed, and the developers have yet to comment on the situation. The Anti-Cheat Police Department advised players to take measures to protect their personal information, while conflicting reports emerged about the nature of the exploit used. The incident has left the gaming community frustrated, and the hope is for the tournament to resume once the situation is resolved.
Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Apex Legends, has been hit by layoffs as part of EA's recent job cuts, with employees sharing the news on social media. The extent of the impact on the team is unclear, but it's likely related to EA's announcement of 670 job cuts in February. This comes as part of EA's shift away from "future licensed IP" towards its "owned IP, sports, and massive online communities," leading to the cancellation of a Star Wars FPS in development at Respawn. These layoffs add to the growing number of job losses in the gaming industry, with over 7,500 workers affected in just under two months.
EA is implementing a restructuring plan that involves laying off 5% of its workforce, affecting 23 employees at Respawn Entertainment, including some from the Apex Legends team. Despite recent layoffs and the cancellation of an unannounced Star Wars game, the company is maintaining faith in the game and Respawn overall. The CFO indicated that Apex Legends missed projections but was on an upswing, and the CEO expressed confidence in its performance. Additionally, plans for Apex Legends to expand beyond the traditional battle royale experience are in the works.
Respawn Entertainment, the developer of Apex Legends, has been hit with layoffs as part of EA's announcement to lay off 5% of its workforce. The layoffs have affected the Apex team, with employees expressing sadness and uncertainty about their future. The studio has not disclosed the exact number of people let go, and the cancellation of the first-person Mandalorian game has also been announced as part of EA's restructuring.
Respawn Entertainment is reportedly working on a new game set in the Titanfall universe, led by Steve Fukuda, the director of Titanfall and Titanfall 2. While it's not Titanfall 3, the untitled project is said to be in the prototyping phase and expanding its team. The game's connection to the Titanfall universe without being a direct sequel remains unclear, but with the success of Apex Legends, there's potential for Respawn to further develop the Titanfall universe.
Respawn Entertainment is reportedly working on a new game set in the Titanfall universe, with the project led by the director of the original Titanfall. While not confirmed as Titanfall 3, the game is said to be in the early prototyping phase and is distinct from the canceled Titanfall Legends project that aimed to bring a single-player experience to Apex Legends. The new game is described as a "Titanfall game" but not necessarily a traditional sequel, with potential ties to the popular free-to-play multiplayer game, Apex Legends.
Respawn Entertainment's first-person Star Wars Mandalorian game, featuring a bounty hunter searching for bounties across the galaxy, was canceled by EA despite positive feedback from playtests and developers. The game offered a linear level experience with fast-paced combat, a Mandalorian jetpack, and various enemies including stormtroopers and boss-like adversaries. It was in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC, with a polished vertical slice and several missions near completion.
Respawn Entertainment, known for Star Wars Jedi and Apex Legends, is reportedly developing a first-person Mandalorian video game where players control a bounty hunter during the Empire's reign. The game features bounties, iconic Mandalorian jetpack, fast-paced action, and linear levels across multiple planets. It's still in early development and may be a year or two away from release, adding to Respawn's busy schedule of ongoing projects.
