Marathon Director Fired At Bungie Over Inappropriate Conduct

The director behind Marathon at Bungie was fired this year due to inappropriate conduct. According to Bloomberg, Chris Barrett was fired from Bungie in the spring after being accused by “several female employees of inappropriate behavior”.

Per the report from Jason Schreier, “at least” eight female employees came forward against Barrett to the company. From their an investigation took place. That investigation discovered that Barrett would call lower-level employees attractive while also asking them to play truth-or-dare. On top of that, Barrett reported flaunted his “wealth and power” within the company while hinting that he could help people advance their careers.

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Messages that were sent to Schreier showed requests to hang out with the women involved as well as texts that were “flirtatious”. It was also said that Barrett’s interactions with the women had “similar patterns”.

“Barrett would befriend women at the studio in various departments and then send them a barrage of text messages that blurred the lines between professional and personal,” Schreier wrote.

In a statement given to Bloomberg, Barrett apologized for making people feel uncomfortable while adding that was never his intention.

“I feel that I have always conducted myself with integrity and been respectful and supportive of my colleagues, many of whom I consider my closest friends,” he said. “I never understood my communications to be unwanted and I would have never thought they could possibly have made anyone feel uncomfortable. If anyone ever felt that way about their interaction with me, I am truly sorry.”

Schreier says that Sony, Bungie’s parent company, wouldn’t comment on the case. However, he was given a standard response from a spokesperson saying that the company takes all complaints of misconduct seriously.

Employees at Bungie weren’t told that Barrett was fired or why he was no longer with the company.

What do you make of Barrett being fired from Bungie while working as the director on Marathon? For more Insider Gaming, read about what game is getting a remaster this year.