Sony has finally issued a response to a lawsuit from Christopher Barrett, a former Bungie executive.
In their legal filing, which Game File covered, PlayStation has shared text exchanges between Barrett and female Bungie staff members. These communications are presented by Sony as evidence of Barrett’s alleged “pattern of misconduct.”
Barrett, who departed Bungie in March 2024, did so under a cloud of allegations regarding inappropriate behavior towards female employees. Following his exit, he initiated a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, seeking $200 million in damages. He argues that his dismissal cheated him out of a $45 million payout tied to Sony’s acquisition of Bungie in 2022.
Sony, defending their decision, asserts in their filing that Barrett was dismissed due to behaviors that involved “targeting a lower-level, female employee he had no professional responsibility over.” They allege he started with friendly chats and escalated to uncomfortable remarks about her appearance, hinting at romantic interest, crossing professional boundaries.
Sony’s documentation includes snippets from messages Barrett purportedly sent to his alleged victims.
Reacting to Sony’s submission, Barrett’s legal team remarked to Game File, “Sony has selectively highlighted text messages and conversations, making unsupported claims aimed at tarnishing Christopher’s reputation and justifying his dismissal to avoid fulfilling financial obligations outlined in his employment agreements.”
They further noted, “It’s revealing that Sony hasn’t provided complete exchanges or full conversation details. Nothing in their filing offers a sound legal or factual reason for Christopher’s termination.”
Barrett is adamant that once all the evidence is laid out, it will demonstrate that Sony maneuvered to strip him of his position and the stock awards he rightfully earned during his 25 years of dedicated service to the company.
