Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in Plane Crash

Claude Guillemot, co-founder of video game publisher Ubisoft, died in a plane crash on Tuesday, according to multiple confirmed reports. The incident occurred when a small aircraft collided with a mountain near Grenoble, France, according to the French gendarmerie. Guillemot, 61, was among three fatalities in the crash, which the gendarmerie described as a “technical failure” during a private flight.

Ubisoft confirmed Guillemot’s death in a statement, calling him a “visionary” who co-founded the company in 1996. The statement did not specify the aircraft’s operator or details about the flight’s purpose. French aviation authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. A preliminary report from the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) cited “loss of control” during ascent, but no final determination has been made.

Guillemot, a former engineer, played a key role in developing Ubisoft’s early titles, including the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise. His departure from the company in 2016 was marked by a public dispute over creative direction, though he remained a board member until 2021. A 2020 interview with French newspaper Le Parisien highlighted his focus on “long-term innovation” in gaming, a philosophy that shaped Ubisoft’s global expansion.

The crash has prompted calls for greater safety oversight of private aviation in France. A 2022 report by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency noted a 15% increase in private aircraft incidents over the past decade. Local officials in Grenoble have not commented on potential regulatory changes, but the incident has reignited debates about pilot training requirements for small aircraft.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office issued a brief statement expressing “deep sorrow” over Guillemot’s death. The statement did not mention his business legacy or the crash’s circumstances. A memorial service is planned for Friday in Paris, according to a spokesperson for Ubisoft. The company’s stock closed unchanged on Wednesday, reflecting minimal market impact from the event.