Former Bungie director Chris barrett is suing PlayStation and Bungie for more than $200 million, denying allegations of sexual misconduct and claiming that his firing was intended to avoid paying out nearly $50 million owed under his employment agreement. IGN has reached out to Sony and Bungie for comment.
The 81-page lawsuit lays out seven counts against bungie and SIE, including Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA] retaliation, defamation, and breach of contract. Barrett is seeking at least $100 million in defamation damages in addition to more than $90 million for money owed under retention agreements, alleged Washington Rebate Act [WRA] violations, and other compensation.
Reports emerged earlier this year that Barrett, a Bungie employee who also worked on both Halo and Destiny, was fired from his position as Marathon’s director after an internal misconduct inquiry. A Bloomberg report cited sources claiming that Barrett “called lower-level female employees attractive, asked them to play truth-or-dare and made references to his wealth and power within the studio, suggesting that he could help advance their careers.”
Barrett released a statement at the time saying, “I feel that I have always conducted myself wiht integrity and been respectful and supportive of my colleagues, many of whom I consider my
closest friends. I never understood my communications to be unwanted and I would have never thought they could possibly have made anyone feel uncomfortable. If anyone ever felt that way about their interaction with me, I am truly sorry.”
Barrett’s lawsuit alleges that he was scapegoated for Bungie’s overall struggles in the wake of the PlayStation acquisition and that the investigation was used as cause to fire him after requesting FMLA leave. Barrett’s lawsuit also states that many of the allegations laid out in a 2021 investigation into Bungie’s workplace culture were “not shocking to him” and lays out several allegations of his own, including claims that at least one employee “frequently exposed himself in the office” and that Bungie “maintained an email channel that shared lewd and semi-pornographic content to the entire studio.”
Barrett alleges that he sought to take mental health leave in late 2023, but was instead removed from his role on Marathon. In describing the investigation into his conduct, Barrett claims that he was confronted about what he described as “unspecified texts” but “failed to show Barrett any of the communications, identify any of the recipients or senders, or even disclose when the communications took place — thereby rendering sony’s supposed ‘investigation’ into these texts pointless and failing to meet any professional standards for conducting an investigation.” Barrett was subsequently fired for gross misconduct in March 2024, with Joe Ziegler taking over the role as marathon director.
Barrett’s lawsuit adds to bungie’s recent struggles.Earlier this year, the studio laid off 220 staff, and in a report published in December 2023, Bungie devs described the atmosphere at the studio as “soul-crushing.” Marathon, meanwhile, does not yet have a release date, though it’s expected to see a playtest sometime in 2025.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
What are the potential implications of Chris Barrett’s lawsuit on the gaming industry as a whole?
Time.news Interview: Navigating the Fallout of Allegations and Lawsuits in the Gaming Industry
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss a complex legal situation involving former Bungie director chris Barrett,who is suing both PlayStation and Bungie for over $200 million. To help break this down is Dr. Angela Price, a legal expert specializing in labor law and workplace ethics.Welcome,Dr. Price!
Dr. Angela Price: thank you for having me! It’s an important topic, and I’m glad to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Chris Barrett has denied accusations of sexual misconduct and claims that his firing was a way for Bungie to avoid paying out nearly $50 million in owed compensation. Can you help us understand the legal implications of his lawsuit?
Dr. Price: Certainly. Barrett is not only challenging the allegations against him but is also framing his termination as a breach of contract and retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act. It’s essential to highlight that if Barrett can prove he was improperly terminated to avoid financial obligations, he might have a strong case for breach of contract.
Editor: The lawsuit includes counts of defamation,which is quite serious. He’s seeking at least $100 million in damages for that alone. What does that entail?
Dr. Price: Defamation involves false statements that damage a person’s reputation. for Barrett to win this claim, he must demonstrate that the allegations were indeed false and that they were made with actual malice—that is, the accusers knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Winning a defamation case in the public eye,especially in the gaming industry,is quite challenging but not unfeasible.
Editor: That’s a considerable amount of money in question. His total claims also include compensation for retention agreements and alleged violations of Washington’s Rebate Act. How could these factors play into his case?
Dr. Price: The retention agreements are crucial because they are legally binding contracts. If Barrett can show that Bungie breached this contract, he could bolster his claim for financial compensation. Simultaneously occurring,violations of state laws like the Washington Rebate act could add another layer of complexity to the case,especially if it’s proven that his termination violated state labor regulations or public policy.
Editor: What impact do you think this lawsuit could have on Bungie’s reputation, especially given its history and the games involved, like Halo and Destiny?
Dr.Price: The impacts could be critically important. High-profile lawsuits can lead to increased scrutiny from the public, investors, and even regulatory bodies. It can tarnish a company’s brand, especially in an industry where community engagement is vital. If the court case draws out, it might inhibit future projects and partnerships as stakeholders become wary of the implications.
Editor: With reports indicating Barrett’s alleged behavior before his termination, how should companies in the gaming industry navigate the tricky balance between workplace ethics and employee rights?
Dr. Price: It’s a delicate balance. Companies must foster an habitat where misconduct can be reported safely, but they also need to ensure that all allegations are handled with due process. Clear policies about workplace behavior and mechanisms for reporting issues are essential. Openness during investigations can also help maintain trust among employees and the public.
Editor: This situation certainly opens the floor for discussions about ethics within the gaming industry. What steps can organizations take to better manage employee conduct and prevent such legal troubles?
Dr. Price: Training programs and effective reporting channels are critical. Employees need to be educated about what constitutes inappropriate behavior and how to report it. Additionally, firms should actively cultivate a culture of accountability where leaders model ethical behavior, and every employee is held to those standards.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Price, for your insights into this developing story. As much as this case is about litigation, it’s also about how the gaming industry grapples with its culture and responsibilities toward its employees.
dr. Price: Absolutely. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds and what precedents it may set for the industry moving forward.
Editor: We’ll certainly keep a close eye on this case. Thank you once again for your expertise!
Dr. Price: Thank you for having me!