New Infinity Ward Leaders Discuss Preserving Studio DNA in 2026 CoD, Mourning Vince Zampella

Infinity Ward, the original Call of Duty developer, has new studio heads—but both are longtime veterans. Jack O’Hara, who rose through production, has been at the studio since 2012. Mark Grigsby, an animator since 2005, left for a stint at Respawn Entertainment (founded after a mass exodus of IW staff following a royalties dispute in 2010) before returning in 2012. Both insist the studio will stay true to its bold design DNA.

“We actually have one person that works here who was here from the beginning,” Grigsby said. “The DNA of that crew still lives in this studio. What we created back then, the vibe—it's still something we push for with our employees. It was a vibe. It still is a vibe.”

He added: “COVID hurt us a bit a couple of years ago, but we had tremendous energy in 2019. COVID messed things up, but we're still on that trajectory, still as passionate as we were back in 2003, 2005.”

O’Hara said: “As generations have gone on, we keep accumulating talented, passionate people. Our culture is about making the best game possible, being passionate about your craft, giving direct feedback, and having no egos—just making the best game.”

This year’s Call of Duty from Infinity Ward will be the first since Zampella’s tragic car accident death in December. The new leaders are still grappling with how to honor him. When IGN asked if the 2026 CoD would include an “in memory of Vince Zampella” in the credits, O’Hara replied: “A lot of us knew Vince personally, so his death hit home hard. We all have stories to remember him by. We haven't finalized any plans because many of us know his family, and we want to be sensitive.”

The 2026 Call of Duty is likely to be announced on or before June 7, during the Xbox Showcase.