Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie have settled a lawsuit with Christopher Barrett, a long-time Bungie director who sued the PlayStation maker for $100 million. Barrett claimed his termination was a breach of contract designed to avoid paying him substantial bonuses tied to Sony's 2022 acquisition of Bungie. As part of the resolution, Barrett's name has been added to the credits for Marathon, the upcoming game he originally directed.
Barrett, who had been with Bungie for 25 years, was terminated in 2024. Reports indicated his dismissal followed an investigation into text messages he exchanged with female employees. Barrett had alleged that Sony's investigation was a "sham" and that his firing was a tactic to evade paying him over $80 million in vested bonuses. "I am pleased to share that Sony, Bungie, and I have reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit," Barrett announced on X on July 8. "The outcome is one I am very satisfied with, and I am grateful to everyone who stood by me. Closing this chapter allows me to focus my attention on what’s next in my gaming journey, and I look forward to what lies ahead."
Sony had previously released some of the text messages in question, which included exchanges like "Are you still in PJs?" and "[I]s it like a button down top and bottoms? Sweatpants? Lulu lemons?" In another message, Barrett referred to a female employee as the "Holy Grail" and stated, "I’m not hitting on you. I hope it doesn’t feel like that. I’m married. But I can be honest. You are the .000001 and better be treated like that forever." Barrett's legal team countered that these messages were "cherry picked" and did not provide a legitimate basis for termination for cause.
While the financial terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, the inclusion of Barrett's name in Marathon's credits signifies a vindication for him. This development occurs as Bungie itself navigates a period of significant staff reductions, having recently undergone one of the largest layoffs in its history following the conclusion of Destiny 2's seasonal content cycle. The future of the studio beyond its current commitments to Marathon and Destiny 2 remains uncertain after the departure of nearly 300 employees.