Electronic Arts Has a Game Maker With the Midas Touch

Vince Zampella may be the most successful game maker in history.

“Videogames have become the world’s most lucrative global entertainment medium, but the industry’s top players are unknown compared with film directors and TV show runners.”

“Take Vince Zampella, who is responsible for the creation of three multibillion-dollar franchises, including the original Call of Duty and Modern Warfare, both of which are among the most successful games in history. Zampella also made Apex Legends as the head of Respawn, his independent studio that Electronic Arts (ticker: EA) wisely acquired in 2017. Earlier this year, EA announced that Apex had surpassed $2 billion in bookings.”

“I’m willing to bet that most investors and fund managers don’t know who Zampella is, either. They should.”

“What’s unique about Vince is everything he touches turns to gold,” says Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards, the Oscars of the videogame world. “No matter the genre or platform, he’s able to rally the team to make an amazing game. He pretty much has a perfect record.”

“The good news for EA shareholders is that the company has started to hand over more of its game properties to Zampella.”

“In May, this column recommended EA as a play on the multiyear videogame-console cycle. I also noted that it was one of the few big independent game companies remaining and could attract takeover attention. Both of those ideas remain in play.”

“Microsoft is largely trying to buy Activision for its Call of Duty brand, where much of the company’s value lies. But it won’t be getting Zampella, who is busy creating the next Call of Duty–type hit for EA.”

“Microsoft might be buying the wrong company.”

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