Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot dies in plane crash in France: report

Claude Guillemot, the co-founder of French video game giant Ubisoft, died Friday in a plane crash in La Baule, the company confirmed to Reuters.

Guillemot, 69, was one of two people aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 plane, both of whom died in the wreck, according to a report from local newspaper Ouest-France.

The French Atlantic coast town had a planned air show over the weekend, according to the outlet.

Claude Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft SA and chief executive officer of Guillemot Corp., at the Guillemot office in Rennes, France, Jan. 25, 2023.  (Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

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In a statement provided to Reuters on Saturday, Ubisoft said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman ​of Guillemot Corp.”

According to Ubisoft’s website, Guillemot, along with his four other brothers, founded Ubisoft in 1986.

Guillemot worked behind the scenes and played a pivotal role in advancing the original mail-order software business, Reuters reported.

Claude Guillemot was the co-founder of French video game giant Ubisoft. (Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

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One of Guillemot’s brothers, Yves, currently serves as CEO of the gaming powerhouse.

Under Yves’ ongoing leadership of more than 30 years, the brothers’ early strategy of nurturing in-house talent and developing original brands has driven the company’s success amid tech disruptions and industry transformations, according to Ubisoft’s website.

Claude Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft SA and chief executive officer of Guillemot Corp., died in a plane crash Saturday. (Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

“Our thoughts are with his family ⁠and loved ones during this difficult time,” the company told Reuters.

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Ubisoft did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.