Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies in France Plane Crash

PARIS — Claude Guillemot, one of the founders of the global video game publisher Ubisoft, best known for franchises including “Assassin’s Creed,” has died in a plane crash in western France, officials said Saturday.

Guillemot was aboard a twin-engine Cessna 421 with a flight instructor when the aircraft went down Friday evening near La Baule airport on France’s Atlantic coast, Mayor Franck Louvrier said in a statement. Both people on board were licensed, experienced pilots, and the instructor also died in the crash, the mayor said. Authorities have opened an investigation.

Ubisoft confirmed Guillemot’s death but did not provide additional comment.

An official at the airport told The Associated Press that the plane crashed in a field shortly before it was due to land at La Baule-Escoublac Airport. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be identified publicly.

Guillemot and his four brothers launched Ubisoft in 1986. The company went on to become one of the world’s major game publishers, with hit titles and franchises including “Assassin’s Creed,” “Just Dance,” “Rayman” and games under the Tom Clancy brand.

Associated Press writer Jeremias Gonzales in La Baule, France contributed to this report.