The year 2002 marked a significant milestone in the world of video games with the release of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, a title that stood out for its cinematic representation of World War II. This game not only won the award for Best Action Game of the Year, but it also left an indelible mark on the industry. It is interesting to remember that its development was handled by 2015, Inc., a studio that was sidelined by Electronic Arts (EA) when it chose to bring the development of its Medal of Honor games in-house.
Vince Zampella, the great architect of contemporary FPS
EA’s decision not to retain the 2015 team, which included development director Vince Zampella, allowed for the creation of Call of Duty, one of the most successful franchises in the history of video games. Zampella and part of his team joined Activision to found Infinity Ward, where they brought Call of Duty to life, a game that introduced multiple protagonists and different perspectives on war, something that became a hallmark of the series.
Recently, Zampella has returned to EA as the head of the Battlefield franchise, reigniting the rivalry between these two companies. Battlefield 6, its latest title, has reached an impressive peak of 747,000 players on Steam, placing it among the top 20 games of all time on the platform. This remarkable figure suggests that EA may have shifted its focus towards developers, allowing Battlefield to regain its prominence in the shooter sector.
The history of the video game industry can be unpredictable, and what started as an unfortunate business decision for EA has led to a rewarding rivalry that continues to capture the attention of players around the world. With Zampella’s return to EA, we may see a revitalization in both Battlefield and the relationships between these two iconic video game companies.
