Former Marathon and Destiny 2 director Christopher Barrett has reached an agreement with both Bungie and Sony following his $200 million lawsuit against the companies.
As per his LinkedIn, Barrett spent over two decades at Bungie, starting his career there as an art director back in 1999. Most recently (for well over 10 years, mind you), the developer was a game director leading projects like Marathon and the now-dying Destiny 2. He left Bungie unexpectedly in the spring of 2024 – and that’s where things get a bit messy.
Reports following his departure alleged inappropriate behavior toward female colleagues.
Barrett said he was actually fired so his employers could avoid paying him about $45 million under his employment contract, stating that they were trying to “deflect attention from their massive business failures.”
Then, he sued both Bungie and Sony for $200 million, citing a “premeditated scheme to terminate” him and “avoid paying him the tens of millions of dollars he was owed.” It’s all… a lot.
Sony did respond, sharing supposed examples of Barrett’s allegedly inappropriate behavior and a rundown of his financial earnings.
There hasn’t been much to say about the case since then, but Barrett’s most recent post on LinkedIn confirms that moves have been made – and that a settlement has been reached.
“I am pleased to share that Sony, Bungie, and I have reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit,” it reads.
“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.”
At the end, Barrett includes “the parties’ joint statement,” which reasserts that they’ve settled the case and the dev’s name has been added to the credits of Marathon “to reflect” his work on the shooter as game director.
Like I said earlier, it’s all certainly a lot. Here’s hoping that this truly is in the past now, and that every party involved can move forward.