The director of the marathon was dismissed following unacceptable conduct

Noah Benjamin

2024-08-30

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Just over a couple of years prior, Sony acquired the game studio Bungie, previously under the wing of Microsoft, granting it significant independence within its corporate structure. Not long after, excitement brewed with the announcement of a new Marathon title, and Bungie appeared to be a stellar addition to Sony's lineup. However, trouble loomed on the horizon for Destiny as top figures started departing en masse amidst a reportedly toxic work environment, and financial projections started to crumble. Over the past year, the tide of news surrounding Bungie has been largely unfavorable, making it less shocking that the company may now be facing not one but two major setbacks.

Journalist Jason Schreier from Bloomberg has uncovered that "at least eight" women at Bungie filed complaints against Marathon's director, Chris Barrett, citing inappropriate conduct. Allegations include him commenting on the appearance of junior female staff, suggesting games of truth or dare, and flaunting his influence and wealth, insinuating he could expedite their professional growth. These actions ultimately led to Barrett's dismissal. The passing of the director marks a substantial setback for Marathon, casting a shadow over its future. Esteemed journalist Tom Henderson, sharing insights online, portrayed Marathon as a complete write-off, suggesting the possibility of further unfavorable events.

Such circumstances might jeopardize the entire project altogether. We hope that Bungie and Sony will manage to resolve these issues promptly. However, the outlook remains bleak.

 

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