Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Passes Away in Plane Crash

Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of Ubisoft, known for iconic franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, tragically passed away in a plane crash on June 19.

Reports from a French news network indicate that a twin-engine propeller aircraft, carrying two individuals, went down while trying to land at an airport in La Baule, France. Both occupants lost their lives, and it has been confirmed that one of them was Claude Guillemot, who was 69 years old.

While Ubisoft has not yet made a public statement on social media regarding his passing, the company expressed its sorrow to Bloomberg, stating, “Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time.”

Geoff Keighley, known for his collaborations with Ubisoft at events like Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards, shared the news on his X account.

Ubisoft was established in March 1986 by five brothers: Christian, Claude, Gerard, Michel, and Yves Guillemot. Yves Guillemot continues to serve as the chairman and CEO of the company. Claude Guillemot held the position of chairman at Guillemot Corporation, another venture founded by the brothers, which manages brands like Djuced, Hercules Computer Technology, and Thrustmaster.

Over the years, Ubisoft has emerged as one of the most influential game publishers in the industry, launching successful franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rayman. Recently, the company has faced several rounds of restructuring and layoffs, including the closure of studios in Winnipeg, Canada, and Belgrade, Serbia, earlier this month. The Guillemot family remains the owner of Ubisoft to this day.