Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has reportedly died in a plane crash at the age of 69. Ubisoft recently confirmed the tragic news in a statement, expressing "deep sadness" over the accidental passing of the group's co-founder and chairman of Guillemot Corp. The company extended its condolences to his family and friends, stating no further comments would be made at this time.
According to French media outlet Ouest-France, the accident occurred on June 19, 2026, in La Baule, a resort town on France's Atlantic coast. The town was scheduled to host an air show this weekend. Claude Guillemot was reportedly aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 light aircraft with one other person; both individuals perished in the crash.
Claude Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft with his brothers in 1986, overseeing the French company's growth from a family business into a globally renowned game publisher. He was also a Ubisoft shareholder and had long served as chairman of Guillemot Corp, a company specializing in entertainment hardware and gaming peripherals, which includes brands like Hercules and Thrustmaster.
Claude Guillemot held a master's degree in economics from the University of Rennes. His brother, Yves Guillemot, currently serves as Ubisoft's CEO. His passing marks the loss of a pivotal figure who helped lay the groundwork for the French gaming industry in its early days.
via： Ouest-France