Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in Plane Crash

Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the renowned video game publisher Ubisoft, passed away in a plane crash on Friday. Guillemot, who was 69, played a significant role in shaping popular gaming franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

Ubisoft expressed condolences in a statement, acknowledging the loss of Guillemot, who was also the chairman of Guillemot Corp. The company shared its sympathies with Guillemot’s family and loved ones during this challenging time.

The exact details of the crash and Guillemot’s death remain undisclosed. The French news network ICI reported that a twin-engine propeller aircraft, a Cessna 421, crashed near La Baule, a seaside town in western France, shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday. Both individuals on board lost their lives, according to the report.

According to Mayor Franck Louvrier of La Baule, the plane was nearing the local airport when it abruptly banked and crashed, as observed by witnesses. The identity of the other deceased passenger has not been confirmed.

Claude Guillemot founded Ubisoft Entertainment alongside his four brothers in 1986. The company’s early success came with games such as Zombi and the popular platformer Rayman during the 1990s. Ubisoft continued with prominent releases, capturing a vast segment of the video game market.

Assassin’s Creed, a historical action-adventure game series featuring secret societies, debuted in 2007 and has since attracted 200 million players worldwide. Its latest installment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, launched in 2025, sets players on a mission to protect 16th-century Japan from malevolent forces.

A review by The New York Times praised Shadows for its brilliantly realized portrayal of Japan, offering an enriching depiction that goes beyond the natural world. However, some criticism emerged online, accusing the game of being ‘woke’ for featuring Yasuke, a Black samurai. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk remarked that the game exemplifies how diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) could impact art. Ubisoft reminded players that the game’s narrative is fictional, despite Yasuke being a historical figure.

Ubisoft’s film and TV division is working on adaptations for both the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry series. Additionally, Guillemot Corporation, distinct from Ubisoft, produces gaming accessories and audio devices.

Reporter Derrick Bryson Taylor provides coverage on breaking news concerning culture and the arts.