Long-time Ubisoft developer Emile Moreal has passed away aged 40.

As reported by IGN, several of the dev's colleagues took to LinkedIn to pay tribute to Moreal. There's no word yet as to how he passed away.

"You've been such a great and kind partner during all these years at Ubisoft," producer Greg Hermittant wrote.

"I'm grateful to have worked with you on so many projects.

"Even through the most difficult times, you always remained the caring and supportive person you were with your beautiful positive mind.

"But the most important is the wonderful moments we had. With no doubts Rayman Legends is my best memory."

LightSpeed LA lead writer M Gabrielle Shrager added: "A cherished colleague for over a decade at Ubisoft Montpellier, we laughed and wept through good times and bad, and shipped a lot great games together.

"Emile was so very proud of Beyond Good and Evil 2, the Space Monkeys and his teammates. He will be sorely missed."

Moreal joined Ubisoft in 2009 and was most recently working on Beyond Good and Evil 2.

Our thoughts are with Moreal's friends and family during this trying time.