Co-founder of 'Assassin's Creed' company Ubisoft killed in plane crash

June 20, 2026 - 23:23

A small aircraft crash in western France has claimed the lives of two people, including one of the co-founders of the global video game company Ubisoft, according to authorities and the company on Saturday.

The twin-engine plane went down in a field near the town of La Chapelle-Montligeon, located in the Normandy region. Emergency services responded to the scene but confirmed both individuals aboard the aircraft were killed. The second victim has not been publicly identified.

The deceased co-founder was a key figure in the early days of the French gaming industry. He helped establish Ubisoft in 1986 alongside his four brothers, transforming a small family business into one of the world's largest video game publishers. The company is best known for blockbuster franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.

Local authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials stated that the aircraft was on a private flight and that weather conditions at the time were being reviewed as a potential factor. The company released a brief statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss, calling the co-founder a visionary who helped shape modern interactive entertainment.