Ubisoft confirmed the death of Claude Guillemot, 69, who co-founded the company in 1986 and helped build it into a major French video game publisher. He died in a Cessna 421 crash on June 19 near La Baule airport on France’s western coast, where responders sai
Claude Guillemot knew Ubisoft as something worth building with his family—one company. five brothers. and a decision made in 1986 that eventually turned into a French gaming powerhouse. On June 19. that story ended in a place far from game studios: an airstrip near the western coast of France. where a Cessna 421 crash left him dead.
Ubisoft confirmed that Guillemot, 69, was one of two victims in the accident. The crash happened in the afternoon of June 19 in a field near La Baule airport, local firefighters said. Emergency responders reported that when they arrived, the aircraft was already on fire and spreading to the nearby environment.
In a statement. Ubisoft said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot. co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp. in an accident.” The company added: “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time.”.
For Ubisoft, Guillemot’s role wasn’t just historical. Along with his brothers. he helped grow the company into a major video game publisher headquartered in France. with successful franchises including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. He also served as chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corp. which owns DJ equipment maker Hercules and gaming peripheral company Thrustmaster.
Guillemot also sat on Ubisoft’s board of directors. His brother, Yves, remains the director, chairman and CEO of Ubisoft.
The chain of responsibility is clear even in the details that have been confirmed: the crash took Claude Guillemot. while the leadership structure inside Ubisoft still traces back to the same family—now with one brother gone and another still in control. For a company that has carried the Guillemot name through gaming history. the timing and suddenness of this death land with particular weight. not only for the people around him. but for an organization built over decades with his hands on the wheel.
Claude Guillemot Ubisoft plane crash Cessna 421 La Baule airport Guillemot Corp Hercules Thrustmaster Assassin's Creed Far Cry
That’s so sad. I can’t even imagine what his family is going through.
Wait, was it his personal plane? Like I saw “Cessna 421” and my brain just assumed it was some crash caused by “gaming PCs” or something lol. Either way, awful.
So the company is saying “no further statements,” but the article keeps saying “leadership chain is clear”?? That part confuses me. Like are they trying to tell us who’s in charge now or just talking history.
Cessna crash near La Baule… isn’t that like by some sports field? I swear I heard somewhere that accidents like this happen when people are rushing to meetings or because the pilot didn’t check weather. Ubisoft will be fine though, they got Assassin’s Creed money. Tragic either way, just don’t know how something like that happens in the afternoon.