Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot died at age 69 on Friday after a fatal plane crash in the French resort town of La Baule, taking the life of both passengers on board.
Tragic Aviation Incident in Western France
According to French media outlets, first reported via Bloomberg, Guillemot was aboard the aircraft when it went down in La Baule. Authorities confirmed that two individuals were on the flight, and neither survived the impact.
Building an Entertainment Empire
In 1986, Claude Guillemot launched Ubisoft alongside his four brothers. The venture grew from a regional distributor into one of the world’s premier video game publishers, responsible for blockbuster global franchises including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Prince of Persia, and the Tom Clancy series, among countless other titles.
Corporate Leadership and Business Strategy
The Guillemot family has maintained executive control of Ubisoft over the past four decades, with Claude’s brother Yves Guillemot continuing to serve as CEO. Outside of the software publishing powerhouse, Claude Guillemot served as chairman of Guillemot Corp., a manufacturer focused on specialized audio hardware and gaming accessories.
Ubisoft Issues Official Response
Ubisoft formally acknowledged the tragic loss through an official public statement:
“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. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time.”
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