A high-profile legal battle within the gaming industry has come to an abrupt end. The Los Angeles Superior Court has dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Christopher Barrett, the former game director of Bungie’s upcoming shooter, Marathon. Barrett had sued both Bungie and its parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment, seeking damages related to his departure from the studio.
The lawsuit, which was originally filed in October 2025, alleged that Barrett was fired solely to prevent his stock options from vesting. He claimed this was part of a broader cost-cutting strategy following Sony’s acquisition of the studio.
The Court’s Ruling
Judge Curtis A. Kin presided over the case and ultimately ruled in favor of the defendants. According to the court documents, the judge found that Barrett failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of fraud and wrongful termination.
The key points of the dismissal include:
- Lack of Evidence: The court determined that Barrett’s allegations regarding a conspiracy to deny him stock benefits were speculative and lacked concrete proof.
- At-Will Employment: The judge reinforced the standard of at-will employment, noting that Bungie was within its rights to terminate Barrett’s employment based on the internal investigation findings.
- Internal Investigation Validity: The defense successfully argued that Barrett’s termination was the direct result of an internal investigation into misconduct, rather than a financial maneuver.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began when Barrett was let go from Bungie earlier in 2024. At the time, reports surfaced that he had been terminated following an investigation into inappropriate behavior towards lower-level female employees. Barrett denied these allegations, countering with the lawsuit that accused Bungie and Sony of fabricating the reasons for his firing to save money on stock payouts.
He had sought significant damages, arguing that his unvested shares were worth millions. However, Bungie’s legal team maintained that his termination was strictly a disciplinary action resulting from a violation of company policy.
Impact on Bungie and Marathon
This legal victory allows Bungie to move forward without the cloud of a massive lawsuit hanging over its head. The studio has faced a turbulent year, including layoffs and restructuring, as it focuses on shipping its extraction shooter, Marathon.
With the legal distraction removed, the development team can theoretically refocus entirely on the game’s production. Marathon remains one of Sony’s key live-service bets for the future PlayStation lineup.
Neither Christopher Barrett nor his legal representatives have announced whether they intend to appeal the decision. For now, the case is closed, and the original ruling stands.