Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who cofounded Ubisoft in 1986, has died at the age of 69 after a plane crash in western France. Ubisoft confirmed his death in a statement, describing him as a cofounder of the group and the chairman of Guillemot Corporation, and extending its condolences to his family. The company said it would not be sharing further details at this stage.
According to Ouest-France, the crash happened on the afternoon of Friday, June 19, when a twin-engine Cessna 421 that had departed from Rennes came down in a field while approaching the aerodrome at La Baule, in the Loire-Atlantique department. Two people on board were killed. Guillemot owned the aircraft and, according to a source cited by the outlet, was at the controls, while the second victim is believed to have been a flight instructor from Rennes.
The mayor of La Baule, Franck Louvrier, said the aircraft was on its landing approach when, according to witnesses, it made a turn and went down. Local fire and rescue services responded in force, and a search for any further victims found none. Flags were lowered to half-mast at the La Baule aerodrome on Saturday in tribute.
Guillemot founded Ubisoft alongside his brothers Yves, Michel, Christian, and Gérard, with the company growing from the family’s roots in Brittany into one of the world’s largest game publishers and the studio behind series like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. While his brother Yves became the public face of Ubisoft as chairman and CEO, Claude worked largely behind the scenes, serving as an executive vice president and a member of the board. He was also chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corporation, the hardware company known for its Thrustmaster and Hercules brands.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway.
