Co-founder of  ‘Assassin’s Creed’ video game giant dies in plane crash

June 21, 2026 - 14:45

Claude Guillemot, one of the co-founders of the video game giant behind the "Assassin's Creed" franchise, died on Saturday when his small plane plunged into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of France. He was 69.

The twin-engine Cessna 421 went down near the town of La Rochelle, a popular coastal destination in southwestern France. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of Guillemot and one other person from the wreckage. The second victim has not been publicly identified.

Guillemot was the brother of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. The two, along with their other brothers, founded the company in 1986. What started as a small family-run distributor of video games grew into one of the largest game publishers in the world. The company is best known for blockbuster franchises like "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Rainbow Six."

Claude Guillemot had stepped back from day-to-day operations in recent years but remained a significant shareholder and a member of the board. He was known inside the industry as a quiet but steady hand during the company's rapid expansion.

French aviation authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest the aircraft encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff from La Rochelle airport. Weather conditions at the time were described as clear, though officials have not ruled out mechanical failure.

The Guillemot family released a brief statement asking for privacy as they grieve. "Claude was a visionary and the heart of our family," the statement read. "His loss leaves a void that cannot be filled."