During a video package at DICE 2026 celebrating the life and work of Vince Zampella, Hideo Kojima spoke about having approached him to work on a Metal Gear game. As caught by VideoGamesChronicle, this conversation took place after the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in around 2008.
Along with this, Kojima also revealed that he had spoken to Zampella following the former’s departure from Konami. Kojima was seeking advice from Zampella during the creation of Kojima Productions, since Zampella had experience with going independent to found Respawn Entertainment. “Without [Zampella], the gaming industry wouldn’t be what it is today,” he said.
Unfortunately, aside from the fact that it was going to be a shooter, we don’t really get to learn why this Zampella-headed Metal Gear game was never made. Considering his experience with the Call of Duty series, and the eventual release of two Titanfall games and Apex Legends, it would have likely been quite the action-packed ride.
The video package featured a number of important figures from across the gaming industry, from Hideo Kojima to Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford, and even members of the gaming media like Geoff Keighley.
“What struck me most was his restlessness,” Keighley said on stage, according to Game File. “Nothing was ever quite good enough. That relentless hunger for excellence drove him to believe he could always make a better game, a better company, be a better leader.”
“He was direct, impatient with nonsense and fiercely loyal to the people doing the work,” Keighley continued. “As he liked to say, he was always a few days away from quitting every job he ever had. And somehow that’s what made him invaluable. He could be inside the system without becoming it. That independence led him to always put the player first, to push even the biggest organizations to take risks.’“
Vince Zampella passed away back in December in a tragic driving accident along Angeles Crest Highway. The accident was noted as occurring at 12:45 PM, and resulted in two fatalities – both occupants of Zampella’s 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS. Zampella died at the age of 55, and has left behind a massive legacy in the gaming industry.
Zampella was known for having a hand in creating games like the original Medal of Honor and the Call of Duty franchise after co-founding Infinity Ward with Jason West and Grant Collier. After having worked at the studio, and with Activision, for several years, Zampella and West would leave, founding Respawn Entertainment to work on games like Titanfall, the Star Wars: Jedi series, and Apex Legends.
After serving as the head of Respawn Entertainment for several years, Zampella would eventually become the CEO of Ripple Effect—the studio previously known as DICE LA and one of the studios that worked on Battlefield 6. As part of his role, Zampella was tasked with overseeing the Battlefield franchise as a whole. The latest entry was released in October across PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
