Bloomberg is reporting that Christopher Barrett, a top Bungie executive and director, was fired in March following a series of misconduct allegations.
Barrett previously served as a director at Marathon and occupied a place on the Bungie board of directors before the company was acquired by Sony. Bloomberg says he has been accused by at least eight women of “inappropriate behavior” toward them in the workplace.
He allegedly “called lower-level female employees attractive, asked them to play truth or dare, and made references to his wealth and power within the firm,” suggesting that he could help them “advance their careers.”
Sources who spoke to Bloomberg say he befriended several women in various departments at the firm. Then he reportedly sent a “flurry” of messages that “blurred the lines between professional and personal.”
Barrett joined Bungie in 1999 as an artist, but eventually became a key figure within the studio, working as a director and designer on key projects including Destiny 2 AND Marathon.
Bungie staff are said to have not been informed of why Barrett was fired, with the Marathon The team was initially told he would be taking a sabbatical. A replacement for Barrett has already been found.
In a statement to Bloomberg, Bungie's parent company, Sony Interactive, said it takes “all complaints of misconduct very seriously.” The PlayStation maker added that “it is our policy and practice to promptly investigate all complaints and take action based on the results of our investigation.”
Barrett told Bloomberg that he has always been “respectful and supportive of my colleagues” at Bungie, but also apologized to anyone who felt “uncomfortable” because of his behavior.
Bloomberg's full report on Barrett can be read Here.
