Ubisoft co-founder – Claude Guillemot, the co-founder of Ubisoft, has died after a plane he was piloting crashed near La Baule in western France. The company confirmed his death and said it is sending thoughts to his family as questions remain about what caused the crash.
The news landed with a jolt for Ubisoft fans: Claude Guillemot, the co-founder of the company behind some of gaming’s biggest franchises, has died after a plane he was piloting crashed.
Ubisoft announced his death in a statement. The company told French media outlets that its thoughts and prayers are with the late co-founder’s family.
French media outlets reported that Guillemot was flying a Cessna 421 twin engine plane when it crashed near the beach resort of La Baule in western France. Guillemot owned a house in the area, and he was reportedly flying with an instructor. The flight was said to be traveling from Rennes, in the northwest part of the country, to La Baule. What caused the crash remains unclear.
Guillemot was 69.
His life story is closely tied to Ubisoft’s rise. Guillemot famously co-founded the company in the mid-1980s with his brothers. moving from selling farm equipment to selling computers and finally video games. Ubisoft later became known worldwide for titles including “Assassin’s Creed. ” “Watch Dogs. ” “Far Cry. ” and a series of games made in conjunction with the hit animated show “South Park.”.
In the months leading up to his death, Guillemot had been stepping back from day-to-day control. He reportedly stepped back from the company last year and handed over day-to-day operational control to his son. Valentin. naming him CEO. Guillemot still played a role in shaping the company’s direction as its Chairman of the Board of Directors.
For Ubisoft. the loss is both personal and structural: the founder who helped build the company’s path is gone. even as the leadership transition to Valentin was already underway. And with the cause of the crash still unknown. the focus now turns to the details that will follow—alongside the grief felt by Ubisoft’s employees. partners. and the players who grew up with the games his company helped create.
Claude Guillemot Ubisoft plane crash Cessna 421 La Baule Valentin Guillemot CEO Assassin's Creed Watch Dogs Far Cry South Park video game series
Plane crashes are always super sketchy. RIP though.
Wait so he was piloting it himself?? Like why would a co-founder fly around in a Cessna unless he just loved danger. Ubisoft already has enough drama with CEOs too.
I saw somewhere it was near the beach so maybe it was wind sheer or like he got confused and tried to land fast. The article says cause is unclear but people on TikTok already saying it was engine failure?? Also 69 is not exactly young, so idk.
This is sad but I keep thinking about Assassin’s Creed like that game will never be finished now or something. Ubisoft’s son taking over doesn’t matter if the pilot crash killed him. They should’ve grounded the whole family or whatever, idk. Cessna 421 sounds like a toy too, I mean not like a real airliner.