Bungie Terminates Former Marathon Reboot Director Chris Barrett Amid Misconduct Allegations

According to a report, Chris Barrett, the former director of the Marathon reboot, was let go by Bungie earlier this year following an investigation into claims of inappropriate behavior towards female coworkers. The report, which cites at least eight women from the studio, claims that Barrett sent them a barrage of texts that blurred the lines between his professional and personal relationships. Some of the women also stated that they felt uncomfortable due to Barrett's position of power within the company and the unwanted nature of his advances. The report notes that Bungie employees were not informed about the circumstances surrounding Barrett's departure, with some members of the Marathon team being told that he was taking a temporary leave of absence. In response to the allegations, Barrett stated that he has always conducted himself with integrity and respect towards his colleagues, and that he never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Bungie's parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment, also issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to taking all complaints of misconduct seriously and investigating them promptly. This incident is not isolated, as in 2021, numerous current and former Bungie employees shared their experiences of encountering sexism, racism, and abusive leadership within the company.