Ubisoft co‑founder Claude Guillemot died in a Cessna 421 crash on June 19 near La Baule airport on France’s western coast. Local firefighters found the aircraft burning in a field and struggling to contain the blaze. The 69‑year‑old was one of two occupants killed in the accident, officials said.

Guillemot helped build Ubisoft from a modest family studio into a global publisher behind franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. He also chaired Guillemot Corp., which owns DJ gear maker Hercules and peripheral brand Thrustmaster, and sat on Ubisoft’s board of directors. His brother Yves remains CEO of the French developer.

Ubisoft released a brief statement expressing sorrow and offering condolences to Guillemot’s family, adding no further comment. The loss removes a founding voice from a company that continues to shape the interactive entertainment market. Ubisoft will press on with its upcoming releases, honoring the legacy of one of its architects.

The board will likely redistribute Guillemot’s responsibilities among existing directors while seeking external counsel for strategic decisions. Investors have not indicated immediate financial fallout, but the founder’s death underscores the human element behind Ubisoft’s corporate engine. Ubisoft’s next quarterly report will reflect how the firm navigates this leadership gap.