Sony Addresses $200M Wrongful Dismissal Lawsuit by Bungie Veteran Barrett

Sony has now addressed the lawsuit brought by ex-Bungie employee Christopher Barrett.

In documents recently submitted, as reported by Game File, PlayStation has laid out text exchanges between Barrett and some female Bungie employees, which Sony argues demonstrate a “pattern of misconduct.”

After leaving Bungie in March 2024, it was revealed that Barrett’s exit followed allegations of inappropriate conduct towards female colleagues. He has since filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, seeking $200 million in damages, arguing that his firing cost him the $45 million he was poised to receive from Sony’s acquisition of Bungie in 2022.

Sony’s court documents assert that Barrett was fired for allegedly targeting “a lower-level female employee whom he did not directly work with. He began with friendly conversations, gradually overstepping by subtly commenting on her physical appearance and expressing romantic interest,” suggesting he tried to forge an unprofessional closeness.

Additionally, these documents include excerpts from texts and direct messages Barrett allegedly sent to these employees.

In response to Sony’s legal counter, Barrett’s attorneys told Game File, “Sony is choosing to highlight select messages and supposed discussions, making baseless claims to tarnish Christopher’s reputation and rationalize their decision to withhold payments he was entitled to under his contracts.”

They further argued, “Sony’s refusal to provide complete messages or the context of these talks is telling, and nothing in their response offers a valid legal or factual reason for his termination.”

“Christopher is confident that once all evidence is brought forward, it will become evident that Sony orchestrated a plan to remove him and deny him the equity awards he rightfully earned over his 25 years of dedicated service to the company.”