Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who founded Ubisoft and helped transform it into one of the world’s largest video game publishers, has died following a plane crash in western France. He was 69 years old.
Ubisoft confirmed Guillemot’s death in a statement released Bloomberg Saturday.
A promotional image for Rainbow Six Siege – Ubisoft
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“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.” Ubisoft added that it would not be making any further statements at this time.
At the time of writing, the Guillemot family had not made a public statement regarding the crash.
Plane Crash Claims Ubisoft Co-Founder
France’s ICI news network reports that the crash occurred Friday evening near La Baule on the country’s Atlantic coast. Guillemot was aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 aircraft when it went down shortly before landing. A flight instructor who was also on board was killed in the crash. Sixty firefighters and nearly 30 ambulances were reportedly involved in the rescue and recovery effort.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing.
Bayek from Assassin’s Creed Origins – YouTube, Ubisoft North America
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Guillemot owned a vacation home in La Baule, a popular resort town. Deadline reports that he was in the area for Fly In La Baule, a gathering of light aircraft enthusiasts.
The town’s mayor ordered flags flown at half-staff on Saturday and scheduled a private memorial service at the airfield.
A Founding Force Behind Ubisoft
While Ubisoft is most closely associated with longtime CEO Yves Guillemot, Claude played a significant role in the family’s business empire from its earliest days. Alongside brothers Yves, Christian, Gérard, and Michel, he helped establish Ubisoft in 1986. What began as a small French software distribution company eventually grew into one of the most influential publishers in the gaming industry.
Over the past four decades, Ubisoft became known for developing and publishing some of gaming’s biggest franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, Prince of Persia, Rayman, Watch Dogs, and Just Dance.
Key art for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024), Ubisoft
Although Yves Guillemot became the public face of Ubisoft as chairman and CEO, Claude served on the company’s board as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Before Ubisoft’s rise, he also helped launch Guillemot Corporation, the family’s hardware company. In 2025, his son Valentin Guillemot was named CEO, while Claude remained involved as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
A Lasting Legacy in Gaming
Guillemot’s death comes during a challenging period for Ubisoft. The publisher has spent the past several years restructuring its operations while attempting to regain momentum following financial struggles and several high-profile game delays. Last March, Ubisoft ceased game development at Red Storm Entertainment, the studio long associated with the Tom Clancy franchise.
Key art for the Splinter Cell remake – Ubisoft
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Despite those challenges, Ubisoft remains one of the most recognizable names in gaming, a legacy built in large part through the efforts of the Guillemot brothers.
For many players, Claude Guillemot’s name may not have been as familiar as some of the industry’s more visible executives. Nevertheless, his contributions helped lay the foundation for a company whose games have reached hundreds of millions of players worldwide. His passing marks the loss of one of the key figures behind the growth of the modern video game industry.
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