PARIS -- Claude Guillemot, a co-founder of the global video game company Ubisoft, known for the Assassin's Creed series, died in a plane crash in western France on Saturday, June 20, 2026, authorities confirmed.
The crash occurred in the Vendée region, according to local officials. Guillemot, who was also president of the Guillemot Foundation, was the only person on board the aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Ubisoft, headquartered in Rennes, France, was founded in 1986 by the five Guillemot brothers: Claude, Michel, Yves, Gérard, and Christian. Claude Guillemot played a key role in the company's early growth and later focused on philanthropic work through the family foundation.
Yves Guillemot, the current CEO of Ubisoft, expressed condolences on behalf of the company, calling his brother a visionary who helped shape the gaming industry. The company has not announced any changes to its operations following the incident.
