Bungie fired Christopher Barrett, the former game director for Marathon after several female employees reported inappropriate conduct against him. The new report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier said no fewer than eight female staff had testified against him.
Months ago, former Valorant game director Joe Ziegler said he was taking over as the game director for Marathon. At that time, multiple reports said Barret had left the company without mentioning the reason behind his departure.
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Barrett joined Bungie in 1999 and ascended through the company’s ranks. Last summer, he was announced as the director of Marathon, Bungie’s next big franchise. He previously worked in the company as an artist, art director, and game director for Halo and Destiny series. He left Bungie in March this year.
The Bloomberg report alleged that Barrett told lower-level female employees they were attractive, suggested he could influence their ascend through the career ladder because of his influence in the studio, and asked them to play Truth or Dare.
Messages shared with Schreier showed Barrett requesting the female employees to hang out with him including “flirtatious” texts. It was also said that Barrett’s interactions with the accusers had a similar pattern.
“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,” wrote Schreier.
In a statement sent to Bloomberg, Barrett said making people uncomfortable was never his intentions. “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”.
“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.”
Bungie’s parent company did not respond to the allegations and Schreier was told that the company takes “all complaints of misconduct very seriously”, a general response mostly given by companies in such instances.
The report also said Bungie employees were not told the reason for Barrett’s departure. Earlier this month, Schreier said the mood at Bungie was “not great” regarding Marathon game.
Do you think the culture of silently dismissing people who act inappropriately is the reason for its proliferation? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
