Former Marathon reboot director Chris Barrett was reportedly dismissed from Bungie earlier this year following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues. According to a report by Bloomberg, at least eight women from the studio alleged that Barrett sent them a “barrage of text messages that blurred the lines between professional and personal.”

Some of the women claimed that Barrett’s advances were unwelcome, and they felt uncomfortable due to the significant power imbalance, as Barrett held a more senior position within the company. The report suggests that Bungie employees were not informed of the circumstances behind Barrett’s departure, with the Marathon team allegedly being told that he was on a sabbatical.

Barrett, in a statement to Bloomberg, denied any intention of misconduct, stating, “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.”

Sony Interactive Entertainment, Bungie’s parent company, issued a statement reinforcing its stance on misconduct, stating it takes “all complaints of misconduct very seriously” and investigates each one promptly. However, the company did not comment specifically on Barrett’s case.

This news adds to a tumultuous period for Bungie, which has faced allegations of sexism, racism, and systemic discrimination in recent years. In 2021, a report by IGN highlighted similar issues within the studio, prompting CEO Pete Parsons to promise action against abusive leaders. Despite the successful launch of Destiny 2’s latest expansion, The Final Shape, Bungie has struggled with internal challenges, including layoffs and financial mismanagement.