Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Killed in Plane Crash in France
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of Ubisoft, was killed when his Cessna 421 crashed near La Baule, France, on Friday evening. The 69-year-old and a flight instructor died, and Ubisoft said it was deeply saddened by the loss.
Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft in 1986 with his four brothers and later led Guillemot Corporation, handing day-to-day control to his son in July 2025. His death comes as Ubisoft prepares to release Black Flag Resynced on July 9.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Claude Guillemot died in a Cessna 421 crash near La Baule, France.
- The 69-year-old and a flight instructor were both reported killed.
- He co-founded Ubisoft in 1986 with his four brothers.
- Ubisoft said it learned of his death with deep sadness.
- He also led Guillemot Corporation and passed daily control to his son in July 2025.
Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who founded Ubisoft, died in a plane crash in western France. He was 69. According to French media reports, Guillemot was flying a twin-engine Cessna 421 on Friday evening when it went down near the airfield in the resort town of La Baule, where he owned a vacation home. The other person aboard, a flight instructor, was also reported killed.
Ubisoft said it had learned with “deep sadness” of the death of its co-founder and Guillemot Corporation president. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the company said.
Guillemot founded Ubisoft in 1986 in his hometown of Carentoir in Brittany with his brothers Michel, Yves, Gérard and Christian. The company began with early titles such as Zombi and Iron Lord and later grew into one of the world’s most influential game makers, known for Assassin’s Creed, Rayman, Driver, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s and Watch Dogs.
He also led Guillemot Corporation, the family business founded in 1984 and focused on gaming accessories and digital audio technology. In July 2025, he handed day-to-day management to his son Valentin Guillemot, who became CEO, while Claude remained chairman and continued guiding the company. Ubisoft, run by his brother Yves Guillemot, said Claude served on its board but was not part of the daily management team. His death comes as Ubisoft prepares to launch Black Flag Resynced, a remake linked to Assassin’s Creed, on July 9, as it tries to recover from several difficult financial years and declining game popularity.
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