Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Killed in Western France Plane Crash

June 21, 2026 - 01:07

Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of the video game giant Ubisoft, died on Friday after a small plane crashed in western France. He was 69 years old.

The accident occurred when a Cessna aircraft carrying Guillemot went down in the Loire-Atlantique region. Emergency services responded to the scene, but Guillemot was pronounced dead. No further details about other passengers or the cause of the crash have been released by authorities.

Guillemot, along with his four brothers, founded Ubisoft in 1986. The company grew from a small French game distributor into one of the world's largest video game publishers, known for blockbuster franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. Claude Guillemot served as a key figure in the company's expansion, overseeing production and business development.

His death comes during a turbulent period for Ubisoft, which has faced financial struggles and restructuring efforts in recent years. The Guillemot family still holds a significant stake in the company. Tributes from the gaming industry have begun to pour in, with many remembering Guillemot as a pioneer who helped shape modern interactive entertainment. An investigation into the crash is underway.