Stick Run creator Manuel Otto dies aged 30 after livestream incident

The world of online gaming is in mourning after the death of Manuel Otto, the German developer who created the popular mobile game ‘Stick Run’ when he was just 14 years old.

The Stick Run team confirmed the news in a statement on social media on Wednesday, October 21, stating it was with a heavy heart that they announced the passing of their creator, developer and fellow player, Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto.

The team said that Otto appears to have died by suicide during a livestream on Twitch. Twitch has since removed the stream and his channel.

The Stick Run team has asked fans not to share unverified information or speculate about what happened, while also asked for privacy for everyone affected.

Otto was a young teenager when he built Stick Run, a simple but addictive game featuring stick figures competing against each other. It quickly achieved mass popularity, thanks in part to its multiplayer integration.

Otto later became a well-known streamer on Twitch, where he often broadcast live to his followers.

In its tribute, Stick Run wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm and announce the passing of our creator, developer, and fellow Stick Runner, Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto.

“Stick Run was more than just a game. For so many of us, it was a part of our childhood.

“A game we grew up playing with friends, sharing laughs, competing for high scores, and making memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. It brought people together and became a cherished part of our childhood.

“Today, we mourn not only the loss of our creator, but also a fellow Stick Runner whose work became a part of our lives. His legacy will live on through every memory, every run, and every player who grew up playing Stick Run.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched.

“Thank you, Manuel, for being a part of our childhood. You will never be forgotten.”

Fans have flooded social media with tributes, sharing their memories of playing Stick Run as kids.

For those remembering Otto, the game's importance extends beyond its simple visual style. Its multiplayer element gave friends a shared activity, with competition, repeated attempts, and high scores becoming part of their time together. The tributes describe that experience as a childhood memory, connecting the developer's work with ordinary moments players still recognize years later.

That is also why the team's statement addresses him as a fellow player as well as a creator. The message remembers someone whose work helped form a community, rather than treating the game only as a technical project. Fans responding with their own recollections add personal meaning to that tribute. Their memories center on playing with friends and the lasting place Stick Run holds in their lives.

The family's privacy and the team's request to avoid speculation remain part of the announcement. Alongside the news of his death, the public response is focused on acknowledging the person behind the game and offering condolences to those who knew him.