Founder of video game company Ubisoft killed in a plane crash in France

June 20, 2026 - 22:33

A co-founder of Ubisoft, the company behind blockbuster video game franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, was killed in a plane crash in western France on Saturday, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the Loire-Atlantique region, where the small aircraft went down under circumstances that are still under investigation.

The victim was identified as one of the original founders of the global gaming powerhouse, which was established in 1986 by the Guillemot family. While officials have not released the exact cause of the crash, emergency services responded to the scene shortly after the plane went down. No other survivors were reported.

Ubisoft, headquartered in Rennes, France, grew from a small family-run business into one of the world's largest video game publishers. The company is known for its open-world titles and has studios across multiple continents. The loss of a founding member marks a somber moment for the industry, as colleagues and fans expressed shock and condolences on social media.

An investigation has been launched by French aviation authorities to determine what led to the fatal accident. The company has not yet issued an official statement regarding the death.