Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot dies in plane crash

Claude Guillemot, the esteemed co-founder of the renowned French video game company Ubisoft, tragically passed away on Friday at the age of 69. Reports from French media outlets, including Bloomberg, indicate that Guillemot lost his life in a plane crash near the picturesque resort town of La Baule in France. He was one of two individuals on the aircraft, both of whom perished in the incident. In 1986, Guillemot, along with his four brothers, established Ubisoft, which has since become a powerhouse in the gaming industry. The company is celebrated for its iconic franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Prince of Persia, and Tom Clancy titles, among numerous others. The Guillemot family continues to hold a significant stake in Ubisoft, with Yves Guillemot currently serving as the CEO. In addition to his role at Ubisoft, Claude Guillemot was also the chairman of Guillemot Corp., a company specializing in gaming and audio accessories. Following the news of his passing, Ubisoft released a heartfelt statement expressing their sorrow. "Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident," the statement read. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time."