LA BAULE, FRANCE — Claude Guillemot, co-founder of French video game giant Ubisoft Entertainment SA and chairman of Guillemot Corporation, has died at the age of 69 following a plane crash on France’s Atlantic coast.
Ubisoft confirmed his death in an official statement, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of one of the company’s founding figures.
“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,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time.”
According to French newspaper Ouest-France, the fatal crash occurred on June 19 when a twin-engine Cessna 421 aircraft went down in La Baule, a coastal resort town preparing to host an air show. Authorities reported that two people were on board the aircraft, and both were killed in the incident.
Claude Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft in 1986 alongside his brothers, helping build what would become one of the world’s most influential video game publishers. Under the Guillemot family’s leadership, Ubisoft grew into a global powerhouse behind major franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, and Prince of Persia.
Beyond Ubisoft, he also served as chairman of Guillemot Corporation, a company specializing in gaming hardware and accessories, including well-known brands such as Hercules and Thrustmaster, widely used by gaming and simulation enthusiasts worldwide.
A graduate of the University of Rennes, where he earned a master’s degree in economic science, Claude Guillemot was widely regarded as a pioneering entrepreneur whose vision helped shape the modern video game industry.
He is survived by his family, including his brother, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.
Tributes continue to pour in from across the gaming and tech industries, with colleagues and fans remembering him as a key figure whose work helped transform video gaming into a global entertainment powerhouse.
