'Assassin’s Creed' co-founder Claude Guillemot killed in plane crash
Guillemot helps build Ubisoft into one of the world's biggest video game publishers before his death in France
Claude Guillemot, the co-founder of video game publisher Ubisoft and one of the figures behind blockbuster franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, has died in a plane crash in France. He was 69.
Ubisoft confirmed Guillemot's death on Saturday, saying the company was “deeply saddened” by the loss of its co-founder and the chairman of Guillemot Corp.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Fatal Crash Near La Baule
According to French media reports, a Cessna 421 twin-engine aircraft crashed shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday near the coastal resort town of La Baule in western France.
The aircraft was reportedly approaching the local airport when it suddenly banked and crashed. Both people on board were killed.
Local officials confirmed the fatalities, although the identity of the second passenger had not been publicly disclosed.
Helped Build Ubisoft Into a Gaming Giant
Claude Guillemot founded Ubisoft alongside his four brothers in 1986. The company grew from a small French publisher into one of the world's largest video game developers and publishers.
Over the decades, Ubisoft produced a number of major franchises, including Rayman, Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed.
The Assassin’s Creed series, first launched in 2007, became one of the industry's most successful franchises, attracting hundreds of millions of players worldwide through its historical action-adventure gameplay.
Legacy Beyond Video Games
In addition to Ubisoft, Guillemot was involved with Guillemot Corporation, a separate company focused on gaming accessories and audio equipment.
Ubisoft has also expanded beyond gaming in recent years, developing film and television adaptations based on popular franchises including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.
Guillemot's death marks the loss of one of the key figures behind the growth of the modern video game industry and a company that helped shape gaming for generations of players.
