“What struck me most was his restlessness,” mentioned Geoff Keighley yesterday in entrance of an viewers on the DICE Summit 2026 keynote stage. “Nothing was ever fairly adequate. That relentless starvation for excellence drove him to imagine he might at all times make a higher sport, a higher firm, be a higher man. Since his passing, I’ve thought a lot about what made Vince distinctive, what’s his superpower. After all he knew how to construct nice groups, make nice video games, however inside huge firms constructed on course of and politics, Vince was ready to keep stubbornly human. He was direct, impatient with nonsense, and fiercely loyal to the folks doing the work.”
Keighley was talking of Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the Name of Obligation franchise, co-founder of Infinity Ward, and co-founder of Respawn Leisure, who tragically died this previous December in a automotive accident at the age of 55.
Keighley opened a section of the DICE Summit keynote talks devoted to honoring Zampella’s legacy and reminiscence, throughout which a variety of different {industry} luminaries each took the stage as effectively as appeared in video messages discussing the influence he had on them personally, and the {industry} writ massive.
“Technically, we by no means labored collectively, however he is had a big impact on me,” mentioned Randy Pitchford, Gearbox CEO, in a video message. “Not simply me as a sport maker, however as a character.”
“That’s the factor from Vince’s complete profession,” mentioned Respawn sport director Peter Hirschmann, additionally in a video clip. “Regardless of who was round him, he discovered a means to get the most effective out of them.”
“[The team] at all times valued that Vince had their greatest curiosity,” mentioned Daniel Suarez, head of manufacturing at Respawn and equally showing in a video. “They knew he was going to go into the world and battle for what was going to be greatest for the sport. And I feel since you knew he had your again, you knew he was going to be the one who was chanting for this to be the most effective sport it could possibly be if the group had the flexibility to do their greatest work, folks beloved him for it.”
Xbox head Phil Spencer was the second speaker to take the stage in particular person, speaking about his pleasant rivalry with Zampella over time, and what he realized from their friendship. “Vince’s legacy of main with out ego, of main a group, is one thing that I took a lot away from, simply watching him in how he led his groups to obtain such greatness.”
Extra people appeared in additional video messages following Spencer’s speech. “I did not know what a servant chief was till I met Vince, and to be trustworthy with you I do not know if Vince knew what a servant chief was. However he was the most effective servant chief I ever knew,” mentioned Stig Asmussen, former Respawn sport director.
Hideo Kojima made a video look as effectively: “I feel that with out him, the trendy sport {industry} may not exist,” he mentioned.
“He simply actually wished to make nice video games for gamers with a group of builders he favored working with. I do not suppose it was actually about how do I modify the sport {industry} or how do I make a legendary sport,” mentioned Rob Pardo, former CCO of Blizzard. “I feel he is simply less complicated than that.”
“Watching him lead, having him lead us for therefore lengthy, we have change into him, with a sense of self-discipline, drive, ambition, execution, and a commonplace for excellence with the gamers in thoughts first,” mentioned Byron Beede, SVP on Battlefield. “Thanks to Vince, that is in our DNA now.”
The following video speaker was Bethesda director Todd Howard. “Vince was cool,” he mentioned. “He was, I feel, and a lot of people that knew him all would agree, he was most likely the least stuffed with s*** particular person I knew. And generally, he did not thoughts mentioning when another person was. Vince was cool! So cool, my oldest son has solely ever requested to meet or get his image with one sport developer. Vince! Twice! And Vince by no means can be modified. He was nonetheless that man after we first met, besides he had a new T-shirt as soon as a yr. That was a change for him. Vince was cool. He knew what was cool about a sport. And he knew instinctively what a nice sport was. He knew how to take a sport from common, to good, to nice, and he knew what wanted to be finished to get there. He knew how laborious it could be, the hassle, the private sacrifice it could take. And he wasn’t afraid of doing it. It was by no means about him. It was at all times in regards to the sport. Most of all, in regards to the group making it.”
After extra video messages, the ultimate in-person speaker was Laura Miele, president of EA Leisure. “We have talked a lot at the moment about Vince as a titan of gaming who put out extremely profitable franchises he helped create,” she mentioned. “And all of that’s true. However what he would say, typically, is, I simply need to be remembered for being a nice dad. He really lived that. There have been many conferences over time he did not attend, as a result of he wanted to be some place else. At a sport, at a college occasion, or simply merely being there for his youngsters once they wanted him This intuition to present up did not cease along with his household. He actually confirmed up for folks. He mentored, he supported, he believed in others typically earlier than they believed in themselves. He created cultures the place folks felt trusted and protected and challenged to be their greatest. Vince Zamella modified how video games had been made, however extra importantly, he modified how folks had been handled whereas making them.”
A remaining spherical of video messages concluded the presentation, together with a reappearance by Kojima by which he concluded, “I hope folks will look to Vince as a mannequin and purpose excessive.”
DICE attendees have been requested to search for set-ups of clean Magic: The Gathering playing cards across the convention, on which they’re being inspired to write reminiscences, tributes, and different ideas about Zampella earlier than depositing them in accessible containers. The playing cards shall be delivered to his household after the convention.
Zampella was well-known industry-wide, having co-created Name of Obligation at the studio he co-founded, Infinity Ward. After departing Infinity Ward, he joined a variety of his former group members in founding Respawn Leisure, which went on to produce quantity hits together with Titanfall (IGN overview), Titanfall 2 (IGN overview), Apex Legends (IGN overview), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (IGN overview), and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (IGN overview). His most up-to-date gaming contribution was as director of Battlefield 6.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Obtained a story tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
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