Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot dies at 69 in plane crash in western France

Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who co-founded Ubisoft in 1986, died on June 19 at age 69 when his twin-engine Cessna 421 crashed in a field near La Baule aerodrome in western France. He and a flight instructor from Rennes were both killed. French authorities confirmed the aircraft was on fire when emergency crews arrived.

The plane had departed Rennes en route to an aviation gathering expected to draw more than 100 aircraft. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and an investigation is underway, according to local officials. Ubisoft confirmed the death in a statement, saying the company was deeply saddened.

Role at Ubisoft and Guillemot Corporation

Claude Guillemot served as Executive Vice President in charge of operations at Ubisoft and sat on its board of directors. Outside Ubisoft, he was chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corporation, the family's publicly traded holding company that owns Thrustmaster, a major maker of gaming peripherals such as racing wheels and flight sticks, and Hercules, which produces audio and DJ equipment. Guillemot Corp reported revenue of €197.7 million in its most recent fiscal year.

• Ubisoft was founded on March 28, 1986 in the Brittany village of Carentoir by the five Guillemot brothers: Claude, Yves, Michel, Christian, and Gérard.
• The company grew from a software distributor into a global publisher behind franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Just Dance, and Tom Clancy series.
• Ubisoft employs roughly 19,000 people across more than 40 studios worldwide.
• Yves Guillemot remains chairman and CEO of Ubisoft.
• Tencent holds a 49.9% economic stake in Guillemot Brothers Limited (the family's private holding) with only 5% voting rights, plus a direct stake of about 9.46% in Ubisoft.

Implications for Ubisoft and the Guillemot family

Claude's death comes at a turbulent time for Ubisoft. The company has faced studio closures, layoffs affecting hundreds, and a restructuring into five creative divisions. The successful launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, which surpassed five million players within four months of its March 2025 release, helped stabilize the company after a difficult 2024. However, activist investor pressure persists, and Tencent's partnership remains a key strategic element. The Guillemot family, despite holding roughly 11% of Ubisoft shares, maintains control through France's Florange Act, which grants double voting rights to long-term shareholders.

Claude Guillemot is survived by his brothers and his family. Tributes from the gaming industry and the Brittany business community began arriving shortly after the announcement. What comes next for the family's grip on Ubisoft and the future of Guillemot Corp remains uncertain, but the loss of a founding brother reshapes the dynamics at both companies.