Bungie’s former creative lead says he was unfairly fired—Sony just dropped receipts that tell a different story.
The gaming industry has seen its share of #MeToo moments, with allegations of misconduct surfacing time and again. Once again, troubling accusations have come to light—this time involving Christopher Barrett, a longtime Bungie director. Barrett was fired in 2024, but he denies any wrongdoing and is now fighting back in court. Sony has responded with its own claims, adding fuel to the controversy. As the case unfolds, it raises familiar questions about power, accountability, and workplace culture in the gaming world.
Sony vs. Christopher Barrett
Christopher Barrett, former creative director at Bungie, is suing the studio after being fired in 2024 over alleged misconduct. Bungie, owned by Sony, claims Barrett sent inappropriate messages to female employees, justifying his termination. Barrett, however, denies the accusations and calls the investigation a sham. He argues that Sony used the allegations as an excuse to fire him.
According to Barrett, his dismissal was a financial move. He was set to receive over $40 million due to Sony’s 2022 acquisition of Bungie. He claims Sony wanted to avoid paying him and manipulated the situation to justify his removal. Sony, however, has now responded with evidence, intensifying the legal battle. Crazy thought—but what if Barrett was inappropriate towards colleagues and Sony wanted to avoid paying him his shares? One doesn’t have to exclude the other.
Sony Reveals Barrett’s Messages
Sony has released evidence in its legal battle against Christopher Barrett, including text messages he allegedly sent to female employees. In one exchange, he allegedly asked a colleague if she was still in her pajamas and pressed for details, wondering if she was wearing a button-down top, sweatpants, or Lululemon leggings. In another message, he allegedly told a woman she was the “Holy Grail” and insisted he wasn’t flirting—before adding that he would hit on her if she weren’t in a relationship. Another employee claims Barrett repeatedly called her late at night while drunk, ignoring her requests to stop. Sony argues that these messages reveal a clear pattern of misconduct, justifying his termination.
Barrett, however, denies all allegations and calls Sony’s claims misleading. His legal team argues that the company is selectively presenting messages to support its case while withholding context. They maintain that his firing was orchestrated to avoid paying him millions after Sony acquired Bungie. Barrett insists that when all the evidence is revealed, it will become clear that he was wrongfully dismissed. As both sides continue to fight in court, the case raises larger questions about power and accountability in the gaming industry.
What do you think of the leaked text messages? Let us know in the comments!