Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in Plane Crash at 69
Tags Consumer
Claude Guillemot, who co-founded Ubisoft with his four brothers in 1986, died at age 69 in a plane crash in La Baule, France. Two people were aboard the plane and both died. Guillemot was also chairman of Guillemot Corp, which produces gaming and audio accessories. Ubisoft, which grew to one of the largest independent game studios with franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy, issued a statement expressing deep sadness. Brother Yves Guillemot remains CEO of Ubisoft.
Technical significance
While primarily a personnel story, Guillemot's death raises questions about Ubisoft's corporate governance and family control structure at a time when the company faces ongoing challenges including game development delays and competition from larger publishers.