Sony Addresses Bungie Veteran Barrett’s $200M Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

Sony has addressed the lawsuit brought by Christopher Barrett, a former Bungie employee, and their response offers a fresh twist.

In a revealing move, the PlayStation company has shared text messages, reportedly between Barrett and some female Bungie employees, which it claims shed light on his inappropriate behavior. This information came to light through a report by Game File.

Barrett left Bungie in March 2024, but the departure was clouded by accusations of misconduct towards female colleagues. Now, he’s pursuing legal action against Sony, alleging wrongful termination and seeking $200 million in damages. He argues that his untimely exit cost him $45 million he was poised to receive following Sony’s acquisition of Bungie in 2022.

Sony, holding firm on their decision, cited that Barrett’s dismissal was based on accusations of his inappropriate advances towards a female employee who wasn’t directly under his supervision. Barrett is alleged to have crossed professional boundaries by making suggestive remarks about her appearance and expressing a romantic interest. The company claims he sought an unprofessional closeness with the victim.

The documentation submitted by Sony includes snippets of messages sent by Barrett to the alleged victims.

In response, Barrett’s legal team told Game File that Sony’s presentation is misleading. They argue that Sony selectively shared texts and conversations without context, aiming to defame Barrett and sidestep financial obligations under his contract.

“What Sony has provided lacks a legitimate legal or factual basis to justify Barrett’s termination for cause,” his lawyers assert. “Once all the evidence is unveiled, it will become apparent that Sony has orchestrated a strategy to deprive Barrett of his role and the compensation he earned during his 25 years with them.”