Sony has fired back at former Bungie director Christopher Barrett’s lawsuit, alleging a pattern of inappropriate conduct towards female employees. The claims, detailed in court documents, paint a starkly different picture from Barrett’s insistence that his firing was a “premeditated scheme” to avoid paying him millions in owed compensation.
Sony’s Legal Counterpunch
Sony’s court filing, first reported by Game File’s Stephen Totilo, dismisses Barrett’s claims as baseless and asserts that multiple female employees came forward with serious allegations. These reports, Sony states, led to an internal investigation, ultimately resulting in Barrett’s dismissal.
The filing alleges that Barrett engaged in “disturbing written and verbal communications” with female subordinates. The accusations range from unwelcome late-night messages to pressuring employees into sexually charged conversations and games. Sony claims that Barrett’s behavior caused distress among employees, with some fearing retaliation if they refused to engage.
A Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
According to the court documents, Barrett followed a troubling pattern when interacting with female employees:
- He initially engaged in friendly conversation, gradually escalating to inappropriate comments about their appearance.
- He allegedly pressured women into discussing personal topics, including their relationships and his marriage.
- He is accused of pushing employees into participating in “Truth or Dare” and “Ask Me Anything” games with sexually suggestive undertones.
- Sony claims he repeatedly contacted subordinates outside work hours, offering gifts and referencing his wealth and influence in the industry.
One particular instance detailed in the filing describes Barrett FaceTiming a female employee while intoxicated, despite her previous requests for professional boundaries. The report claims he moved to his bedroom during the call, commenting, “I can’t believe I am lying in bed while talking to [VICTIM 1].”
Social Media Messages and Workplace Conduct
Sony’s filing also cites Instagram messages allegedly sent by Barrett to another female employee, referring to her as “the holy grail” and implying romantic interest. When she mentioned having a boyfriend, he reportedly responded, “He better[.] Cuz I would hit on you if he wasn’t.”
In another incident, Barrett allegedly messaged the same woman again, writing, “You want to be worshipped, I think? Why are you against that actually happening?”
The filing also details an exchange via Microsoft Teams, where Barrett is accused of asking a female employee about her attire during a virtual meeting: “Are you still in PJs? [Is] it like a button-down top and bottoms? Sweat pants? Lulu Lemons?”
Sony claims that Barrett’s actions led female employees to seek advice from colleagues on handling his persistent advances. According to the filing, some feared professional repercussions if they resisted his behavior.
Barrett’s Lawyers Call Sony’s Claims ‘Cherry-Picked’
In response to Sony’s filing, Barrett’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations, accusing Sony of selectively presenting information to justify his dismissal.
“Sony continues to disingenuously cherry-pick text messages and alleged conversations and make unsupported and conclusory statements to defame Christopher,” Barrett’s lawyers told Game File. They argue that Sony deliberately withheld full conversations and exhibits that would provide context, instead using out-of-context excerpts to support its narrative.
Barrett maintains that he did not engage in misconduct and contends that his firing was orchestrated to strip him of his financial entitlements. His lawsuit seeks $200 million in damages, including nearly $50 million he claims is owed under his employment agreement. He is also requesting reinstatement as game director on Bungie’s upcoming Marathon reboot.
The case continues to unfold, with no immediate resolution in sight. As both sides dig in, the lawsuit threatens to pull back the curtain on deeper issues within Bungie and its corporate leadership under Sony.
