Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in Plane Crash Near La Baule, France

Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot died Friday in a plane crash in La Baule, France, the company confirmed to Reuters.

“Founder of Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft killed in a plane crash in western France A founder of Ubisoft, the global gaming company behind Assassin’s Creed, has been killed in a plane crash in western France PARIS -- A founder of global gaming company Ubisoft, maker of Assassin’s Creed, was killed in a plane crash in western France, authorities said Saturday”

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

ABC News

The crash occurred Friday evening near La Baule airport on the Atlantic coast, where Mayor Franck Louvrier said the plane crashed in a field just before landing at La Baule-Escoublac Airport.

French media reported the Cessna 421 was in town for an air show over the weekend, per Ouest-France, and Ubisoft said it was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp."

Mayor Franck Louvrier confirmed an investigation is underway after the crash just outside La Baule-Escoublac Airport.

The twin-motor Cessna 421 carrying Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor crashed Friday evening near La Baule airport, and both were described as licensed and experienced pilots by authorities.

Business Insider

CBS News reported that an airport official told The Associated Press the plane crashed in a field just before landing at La Baule-Escoublac Airport, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be publicly named.

In its statement, Ubisoft said, "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time."

Ubisoft said Guillemot was one of five brothers who founded Ubisoft in 1986, and Reuters reported he worked behind the scenes while playing a pivotal role in advancing the original mail-order software business.

“A founder of global gaming company Ubisoft, maker of Assassin's Creed, was killed in a plane crash in western France, authorities said Saturday”

CBS News

TheWrap and CBS News both tied Guillemot to Ubisoft’s franchises, with TheWrap listing titles including Rayman, Far Cry, Rabbids, Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Watch Dogs and Tom Clancy’s.

Forbes reported that Ubisoft was founded in 1986 by five brothers, including Yves, and that the public face of the company has been Yves Guillemot, who serves as Ubisoft’s CEO and chairman.

Deadline said the timing of Guillemot’s death comes as Ubisoft gears up for the release of its reboot Black Flag Resynced on July 9, which it hopes will reset the company’s fortunes after difficult years financially.