Ubisoft Cofounder Claude Guillemot Killed in Cessna 421 Crash

Claude Guillemot, a cofounder of Ubisoft Entertainment SA and chairman of Guillemot Corp., died Friday, June 19, 2026, when his twin-engine Cessna 421 crashed near La Baule-Escoublac Airport on France's Atlantic coast. Guillemot, 69, and a flight instructor on board were both killed in the accident, according to local officials.

Accident Details

Witnesses reported the aircraft banked sharply and struck a field during its final approach to the airport. Franck Louvrier, the mayor of La Baule, confirmed that both occupants were licensed and experienced pilots. French aviation authorities have opened a formal investigation into the crash; no cause — whether mechanical failure or pilot error — has been publicly identified.

Industry Impact

Ubisoft, the publisher behind global franchises such as Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," the company said, adding it would not offer further comment. Guillemot was one of five brothers who co-founded the company in 1986, helping build it into one of the world's largest third-party video game publishers.