Claude Guillemot: Ubisoft co-founder dies in plane crash in France

The gaming industry figure, who helped build Ubisoft into a global publisher, was killed in a light aircraft accident on France’s Atlantic coast

Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash in western France, the company confirmed, marking the loss of one of the key figures behind the rise of the global video-game publisher.

Claude Guillemot died on Friday when a light aircraft crashed in La Baule, a coastal resort town on France’s Atlantic coast, according to local reports. He was 69.

Ubisoft said it was deeply saddened by the accident and extended condolences to his family and loved ones. The company added that no further comments would be made at this time.

Local newspaper Ouest-France reported that Guillemot was travelling in a twin-engine Cessna 421 aircraft. Both people on board were killed in the crash, according to the report.

Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft in 1986 with his brothers. He helped transform the company from a small mail-order software business into one of the world’s largest video-game publishers.

Over time, he shifted focus to the family’s broader business interests and became chairman of Guillemot Corporation, the group’s hardware division.

His brother Yves Guillemot later became the public face of Ubisoft and served as its long-time chief executive.

Industry figures say Claude Guillemot played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in building the operational foundation of the company during its early expansion years.

Authorities in France are expected to investigate the cause of the crash. The aircraft went down in a region that was preparing to host an air show.