Sony Addresses $200 Million Wrongful Dismissal Lawsuit Filed by Bungie Veteran Barrett

Sony has finally replied to the lawsuit brought against them by former Bungie developer, Christopher Barrett.

In their report, picked up by Game File, Sony has presented text exchanges between Barrett and female Bungie employees, which they argue demonstrate a “pattern of misconduct.”

Barrett parted ways with Bungie in March 2024, a departure that was later revealed to be linked to accusations of inappropriate behavior toward female colleagues at the company. He has since launched a legal battle claiming wrongful termination and is seeking $200 million in damages. Barrett contends he was deprived of the $45 million he was set to receive following Sony’s acquisition of Bungie back in 2022.

Sony maintains that Barrett was dismissed because of allegations that he pursued an inappropriate relationship with a female employee who was not directly under his supervision. According to Sony, Barrett initiated friendly chats but gradually crossed professional boundaries by commenting on her appearance and expressing romantic interest. They claim he attempted to cultivate an unprofessional level of closeness with his victims.

In their filing, Sony has included excerpts from Barrett’s texts and direct messages to the women involved in the allegations.

Responding to the filing, Barrett’s attorneys told Game File that “Sony continues to selectively present text messages and alleged interactions, making unsupported claims to tarnish Christopher’s reputation and justify his termination to avoid honoring his contractual agreements.”

The attorneys went on to criticize Sony’s decision not to provide complete messages or full content of the supposed interactions, indicating a lack of substantial legal or factual grounds for Barrett’s dismissal.

“Christopher remains confident that once all the evidence is laid out, it will become evident that Sony orchestrated a move to remove him from his position and deny him the equity rewards he earned over his 25-year career with the company.”