Vince Zampella, one of the creators of best-selling video games like Call of Duty, has died. He was 55 years old.

Video game company Electronic Arts said Zampella died on Sunday. The company did not reveal the cause of his death.

In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, a subsidiary of EA, and was also CEO of video game developer Infinity Ward, the studio behind the successful Call of Duty franchise.

An Electronic Arts spokesperson said in a statement Monday that Zampella’s influence on the video game industry was “deep and far-reaching.”

“A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of gamers and developers around the world,” the statement said. “His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come.”

One of Zampella’s greatest achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than 500 million games worldwide.

Zampella at the 'Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order' video game panel on April 11, 2019 in Chicago.
Zampella at the ‘Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order’ video game panel on April 11, 2019 in Chicago.

Barry Brecheisen via Getty Images

The first-person shooter debuted in 2003 as a World War II simulation and has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide. Later versions have delved into modern warfare and there is a live-action film based on the game in production with Paramount Pictures.

In recent years, Zampella was at the forefront of the creation of the action-adventure video games Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Geoff Keighley, video game journalist and co-creator of The Game Awards, said he was shocked to learn of Zampella’s sudden death.

“Vince was an extraordinary person: a gamer at heart, but also a visionary executive with a rare ability to recognize talent and give people the freedom and confidence to create something truly great,” Keighley wrote on social media on Monday.

“And while it created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt like it still had the best game ahead of it. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.”