Summary
FormerDestiny 2developer andMarathondirector Christopher Barrett has filed a lawsuit against Sony andBungie, which claims that the companies deliberately damaged his reputation and avoided paying him a substantial sum in his employment agreement. The lawsuit was filed months after theDestiny 2developer was reportedly fired fromBungiein March 2024 following an internal investigation.
In August 2024, a Bloomberg report revealed thattheMarathondirector was fired in Marchafter an internal investigation by Bungie. According to the report, at least eight female employees raised complaints about Barrett’s behavior toward them. Multiple women, who were not named while discussing private information, claimed that Barrett would text them frequently, make suggestive comments and unwanted advances, and ask to play truth-or-dare. Reports that were filed by the employees also claimed that Barrett would make references to his wealth and power within Bungie, implying that he could advance their careers. Barrett refuted these claims and stated that he “always conducted himself with integrity and respect” for his colleagues, and further developments were not disclosed until Barrett’s latest post on social media.
On December 12,formerDestiny 2developer Christopher Barrettshared a statement on Twitter, revealing that he filed a lawsuit against Sony and Bungie. The lawsuit alleges that “Sony and Bungie deliberately destroyed Barrett’s reputation” by falsely and publicly insinuating that they had “investigated” Barrett and “found” he had engaged in sexual misconduct, according to theVentureBeatreport that Barrett shared. Moreover, the lawsuit claims that Barrett was never asked in the investigation whether he had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct and discriminatory actions against female colleagues. Barrett was notified of his termination via Microsoft Teams, in which he was told that he engaged in unspecified “gross misconduct” and would be terminated for “Cause.”
Former Destiny 2 Developer Christopher Barrett Files a Lawsuit Against Sony and Bungie
Sony’s $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungieis brought up in the lawsuit as a factor that led to Barrett’s termination, with the lawsuit alleging that the defendants could save $45 million and place blame on Barrett forMarathon’sdevelopment troubles. This $45 million sum is a payment that Barrett was entitled to with his employment agreement at Bungie, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also touches on the August 2024 Bloomberg report, claiming that misleading statements were provided to the publication to deflect blame for Sony’s “poorly performing” acquisition and various delays in video game production.
Due to the lawsuit, Barrett is unable to speak more on the matter, but he did thank fans and people who’ve supported him previously at Bungie. It’s unclear what the outcome of this lawsuit could entail for Bungie, but it adds to some of the troubles that the studio has faced in the past year. This includesBungie’s mass layoffs in July 2024, which happened shortly after the launch ofDestiny 2’sThe Final Shapeexpansion.
Destiny 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.An Immersive StoryYou are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.Guardian ClassesChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
