Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot killed in tragic plane crash

Claude Guillemot, one of the original five brothers who founded French games publisher Ubisoft, has died in a tragic plane crash in France, overseas publication Ouest-France reports.

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Ubisoft has lost one of its original pioneers. It's been revealed that Claude Guillemot was killed in a plane crash, leaving the four remaining Guillemot brothers to help lead Ubisoft and other companies into the future. Guillemot was one of the two passengers aboard the Cessna 421 Golden Eagle craft who died in the collision.

The publisher delivered a statement: "Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp, in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family ⁠and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time."

Claude Guillemot was CEO of the Guillemot Corporation, a lesser-known group responsible for gaming peripherals.

The founding executive was also part of Guillemot Bros Limited, a company formed by the five Guillemot brothers that holds the majority share of Ubisoft. Following years of lowered earnings and financial issues, Chinese entertainment juggernaut Tencent started buying up Ubisoft shares, with a hostile takeover attempt feared from Tencent.

Ubisoft's familial founders were able to stave off a hostile takeover from Tencent by allowing the group to purchase shares in the Guillemot Bros Limited, a company formed by the five brothers that holds majority stock and voting rights of Ubisoft itself.

Ubisoft also made a $1.2 billion deal with Tencent to transform its business, separating key franchises into a subsidiary called Vantage Games, of which Tencent also holds shares in.

The company has used this funding to carve up its games business into Creative House units and to propel games development.