American arcade game champion Billy Mitchell has been awarded $350,000 in damages after winning a defamation lawsuit against a Queensland-based YouTuber named Karl Jobst. The case, which has garnered significant attention, revolves around a video Jobst posted that made serious allegations about Mitchell’s actions concerning another YouTuber.
Jobst’s video, which was live for a total of 15 days, claimed that Mitchell’s lawsuit against another online creator had left that individual “deeply in debt.” More troubling for Mitchell was the implication that his actions contributed to the tragic suicide of YouTuber Benjamin Smith, known by his online alias “Apollo Legend.”
On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Judge Ken Barlow delivered his judgment following a trial that took place in September and October of the previous year. He found that Jobst’s video had “caused substantial additional damage to Mitchell’s reputation and caused him distress.” In his ruling, Judge Barlow stated, “He was reckless in making the allegations. His assertions were based on a fallacy, that Apollo Legend had paid a large sum of money to Mr. Mitchell.”
Mitchell, who is now 59 years old, initially filed his defamation lawsuit against Jobst in September 2021 in the Brisbane District Court. He rose to fame in the 1980s and ’90s due to his high scores in classic arcade games such as Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. In his lawsuit, Mitchell claimed that Jobst’s video had severely damaged his reputation and resulted in a loss of substantial paid work at gaming conventions.
During the proceedings, Mitchell testified that he felt physically sick when he viewed Jobst’s video, which suggested he had “hounded a young man to commit suicide” by suing Smith. He noted that Jobst’s original video had been viewed by more than 500,000 people, amplifying its impact.
Judge Barlow emphasized Jobst’s malice towards Mitchell, stating that Jobst had uploaded the video multiple times and had failed to apologize directly to Mitchell. The judge remarked that Jobst had a history of making videos accusing Mitchell of cheating in obtaining his high scores, as well as discussing Mitchell’s lawsuits against individuals making such claims.
“He seems to see himself as a crusader against Mr. Mitchell – one of the last people sued by Mr. Mitchell and the only one who has not backed down,” Judge Barlow stated. In a notable interview, Jobst had declared, “Billy Mitchell needs to be destroyed in court … I am the last chance for the public to punish Billy.” To which Judge Barlow added, “Clearly wanted to be the knight who slayed the Mitchell dragon. His lance was not as strong as he thought it to be.”
Mitchell had initially sought $400,000 in non-economic damages and $50,000 in aggravated damages. However, Judge Barlow deemed this amount to be “too high” despite acknowledging the seriousness of the defamation. Ultimately, Mitchell was awarded $300,000 in non-economic damages and $50,000 in aggravated damages.
In addition to the damages awarded, Judge Barlow ruled that Jobst should pay $34,668.50 in interest dating back to the first publication of his video and cover Mitchell’s legal costs, subject to submissions from each side’s barristers.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between online personalities and the impact of social media on reputations. The implications of such defamation cases extend beyond the individuals involved, raising questions about accountability and the responsibilities of content creators in the digital age.
As the dust settles on this high-profile case, it serves as a reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from online statements and the importance of truthfulness in public discourse. For Mitchell, this ruling may provide some relief and a sense of justice after enduring significant distress and reputational damage.
