One of the key figures behind Ubisoft’s rise from a family business to one of the world’s largest video game publishers has passed away.
Claude Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft and chairman of Guillemot Corporation, died on June 19, 2026, following a plane crash near La Baule in western France. He was 69 years old.
According to French authorities, Guillemot was aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 aircraft that crashed in a field near La Baule airfield on Friday afternoon. The accident also claimed the life of a 70-year-old flight instructor who was piloting the aircraft.
Ubisoft later confirmed the tragic news in a statement.
“Ubisoft learned with profound sadness of the passing of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the Group and Chairman of Guillemot Corporation, following an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
A Founding Figure in Ubisoft's History
Claude Guillemot was one of the five Guillemot brothers who founded Ubisoft in 1986 in Brittany, France. Alongside his brothers Yves, Christian, Gérard, and Michel, he helped transform the company from a regional software distributor into a global powerhouse responsible for some of gaming’s most iconic franchises
Over the decades, Ubisoft became synonymous with blockbuster series including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rayman, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, The Division, and Just Dance.
While Yves Guillemot remained the public face and CEO of Ubisoft, Claude played a significant role within the broader Guillemot family business ecosystem, notably serving as Chairman of Guillemot Corporation, the parent company behind gaming hardware manufacturer Thrustmaster and other technology ventures.
An Enduring Legacy in the Video Game Industry
The Guillemot family’s impact on the gaming industry cannot be overstated. From humble beginnings in northwestern France, they built one of Europe’s most influential video game companies, helping shape the modern AAA landscape.
Ubisoft’s studios around the world employ thousands of developers and have created some of the industry’s most recognizable open-world experiences over the past four decades.
Claude Guillemot’s passing marks the loss of one of the architects behind that remarkable journey.
Investigation Underway
French prosecutors confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing. Authorities have indicated that autopsies are scheduled as part of the official inquiry.
Emergency services deployed significant resources to the crash site, where the aircraft reportedly caught fire after impact. The blaze was quickly contained by firefighters.
As tributes begin to emerge from across the industry, Claude Guillemot leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond Ubisoft itself — one deeply intertwined with the history and evolution of European video games.
