Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has passed away at the age of 69 in a plane crash close to La Baule.

      **TL;DR** Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of Ubisoft in 1986 and leader of Guillemot Corp, has tragically passed away at 69 in a plane crash in western France.

      Claude Guillemot, one of five brothers who established Ubisoft in 1986, died in a plane accident near La Baule in western France. He was 69 years old. Guillemot and his flight instructor from Rennes were killed when their twin-engine Cessna 421 crashed in a field close to the La Baule aerodrome on June 19.

      French authorities reported that the aircraft was on fire when emergency responders arrived at the scene. Guillemot, a member of a local flying club, had taken off from Rennes and was heading to an aviation event expected to draw over 100 aircraft. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

      Ubisoft released a statement confirming his death and expressing deep sadness. The Guillemot brothers — Claude, Yves, Michel, Christian, and Gérard — founded Ubisoft on March 28, 1986, in Carentoir, Brittany. The company, initially a software distribution business, evolved into one of the world's largest video game publishers, known for franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Just Dance, and the Tom Clancy series.

      Claude held the position of Executive Vice President overseeing operations at Ubisoft and was also on the company's board of directors. His brother Yves continues to serve as chairman and CEO of Ubisoft, which employs around 19,000 people across over 40 studios globally.

      Beyond his role at Ubisoft, Claude was the chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corporation, the family’s publicly traded firm which owns Thrustmaster, a significant maker of gaming accessories, and Hercules, known for audio and DJ equipment. Guillemot Corp reported a revenue of €197.7 million in its last fiscal year.

      The Guillemot family's control of Ubisoft has been a frequent topic in the gaming community. Despite owning around 11% of the outstanding shares, the family retains control due to France's Florange Act, granting double voting rights to long-term shareholders. In 2022, Tencent, a Chinese conglomerate expanding in gaming, invested about €300 million in Guillemot Brothers Limited, the family's private holding, obtaining a 49.9% economic share while receiving only 5% of the voting rights. This deal was seen as a safeguard for the Guillemots' control over Ubisoft while limiting Tencent's influence. Tencent also holds about 9.46% directly in Ubisoft and invested €1.16 billion in Vantage Studios, a new Ubisoft subsidiary created in 2025 for managing major franchises. The speculation about a potential full buyout by Tencent has persisted for years, with no agreement reached as of June 2026.

      Ubisoft has encountered various challenges in recent years, including studio closures, significant layoffs, and a corporate restructuring that split the company into five creative divisions. The launch of Assassin’s Creed, now extending into film and television, helped stabilize the company after a tough 2024, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows exceeding five million players within four months of its March 2025 release.

      Claude Guillemot's passing occurs during a particularly challenging time for the family business he helped establish. Ubisoft is under pressure from activist investors, navigating its partnership with Tencent, and dealing with a broader contraction in the gaming industry that has resulted in tens of thousands of job losses since 2023.

      He is survived by his brothers and family. French media reported that tributes from the gaming community and the Brittany business sector began to pour in shortly after news of his death.