Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in Plane Crash in France at 69
Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who co-founded Ubisoft and played a key role in building the company into a global video game giant, has died in a plane crash in western France. He was 69.
Guillemot was aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 that crashed near the La Baule aerodrome in La Baule-Escoublac, a coastal town in the Loire-Atlantique region. The accident reportedly happened on a Friday afternoon as the aircraft was preparing to land.
Local officials said the plane was on its final approach when it suddenly turned and went down. The crash also killed the aircraft’s owner, operator, and flight instructor. French authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
Ubisoft confirmed Guillemot’s death in a statement, saying it had learned “with deep sadness” of the passing of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and president of Guillemot Corporation. The company added that its thoughts were with his family and loved ones during the difficult time, and said it would not be making further comments for now.
Claude Guillemot helped establish Ubisoft in 1986 alongside his brothers Michel, Christian, Gérard, and Yves Guillemot, who remains Ubisoft’s chairman and CEO. The company began in Brittany as a software distribution business before growing into one of the most influential names in the video game industry.
Over the decades, Ubisoft became known for major franchises including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Rayman, and Prince of Persia. These series helped define multiple generations of gaming and turned Ubisoft into one of the world’s largest video game publishers.
Claude Guillemot served on Ubisoft’s executive board as vice president of operations, contributing to the company’s expansion during some of its most important years. Beyond Ubisoft, he also led Guillemot Corporation, the family-controlled business that holds the Guillemot family’s stake in Ubisoft and owns well-known hardware brands such as Hercules Audio and Thrustmaster, a major name in racing simulation peripherals.
His death marks a significant loss for the Guillemot family, whose history is deeply connected to Ubisoft’s rise. Despite a challenging period for the publisher in recent years, including restructuring, layoffs, and studio closures, the Guillemot family has remained a central force in the company’s direction.
Claude Guillemot is survived by his family and leaves behind a legacy tied closely to the evolution of modern gaming, from Ubisoft’s early days as a regional distributor to its position as a major publisher behind some of the industry’s most recognizable franchises.
