The developer and executive was known as one of the most influential figures in modern first-person shooter games.The video game pioneer behind the hugely popular Call of Duty franchise, Vince Zampella, has died in a car crash in California at the age of 55, gaming giant Electronic Arts has said.The company confirmed reports on Monday that Zampella had been killed in a car crash the previous day, calling the developer and executive’s death “an unimaginable loss”.“Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching,” the statement said.“A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.”Local broadcaster NBC4 reported that Zampella and a passenger were killed when his Ferrari crashed on Southern California’s scenic Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday afternoon.“For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed,” the California Highway Patrol said in a statement, without identifying the two victims in the crash.Footage on social media showed the crash and its aftermath, in which the mangled wreckage of the vehicle was engulfed in flames.String of successesAmong a string of successes in the industry, Zampella was best known for cocreating the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide …
