Battlefield’s Vince Zampella Reveals: ‘Call of Duty Existed Because of EA’s Mistakes’

Vince Zampella, head of Battlefield, recently shared his thoughts on the origins of the Call of Duty franchise, saying it exists “because EA were dicks.” In a GQ interview, Zampella discussed not just Battlefield 6 but also his past in game development. Before leading the Battlefield team, he co-founded Infinity Ward, the studio behind the original Call of Duty.

To understand Zampella’s comment, we need a bit of history. He was part of the Medal of Honor series, specifically the acclaimed Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. When EA decided to take that franchise in-house, Zampella and his colleagues were left without a project. This led them to team up with Activision Blizzard to create a new game, originally codenamed “MOH Killer,” which ultimately became Call of Duty.

Talk about how Call of Duty came to be has been around for some time. Back in 2013, former Infinity Ward artist Justin Thomas mentioned that after leaving the studio, their future was uncertain due to unpaid projects. He noted that, in a last-minute effort, their president reached out to major publishers. Activision quickly stepped in with an offer, saving the team from disbanding.

Fast forward to today—Zampella is now leading Battlefield 6, which is gaining traction as a strong competitor to Call of Duty. Interestingly enough, Zampella had a tumultuous exit from Activision in 2010 due to allegations of breach of contract. Yet he has persevered and is now steering a franchise that stands toe-to-toe with his former project.

Battlefield 6 is making its mark, quickly climbing the ranks on platforms like Steam. Recent statistics show that it became one of the fastest-selling titles, showcasing a significant player base that proves there’s room for more than one military shooter in the gaming landscape.

In the world of gaming, history shapes the present. Zampella’s journey reflects how competition drives innovation. As players eagerly await further updates, one thing is clear: the battle between franchises like Battlefield and Call of Duty will continue to shape the future of military shooters.

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