'Stick Run' creator Manuel Otto dies at 30; game's team and Twitch respond

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Manuel Otto, the German developer and influencer who created the popular mobile and Facebook game “Stick Run” as a teenager, has died. He was 30.

Otto apparently died by suicide during a livestream on Twitch, according to the streaming platform and his colleagues, NBC News reported. His body was found Tuesday, Oct. 20, at a property in the Bavarian village of Breitbrunn am Chiemsee, according to a police statement to NBC News.

What did the Stick Run team say?

The Stick Run team confirmed his death on Facebook on Wednesday. “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,” the statement said, as reported by Global News and NBC News.

“Stick Run was more than just a game. For so many of us, it was a part of our childhood,” the team wrote. “His legacy will live on through every memory, every run, and every player who grew up playing Stick Run.”

In an earlier post, the team asked people to respect the privacy of those involved and to “refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation,” Global News reported.

What did Twitch say?

A Twitch spokesperson said the platform “moved quickly to remove the channel and Video on Demand (VOD) to prevent it from being viewed by others.”

“What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing of our community matters deeply to us,” the spokesperson said. “We encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek support.”

Who was Manuel Otto?

Otto was a 14-year-old high school student when he made “Stick Run,” NBC News reported. The game, in which players guide a stick figure through obstacle courses while collecting coins and points, launched on Facebook in 2010 and came to Android and iOS in 2013, according to Global News.

It has been played by more than 43 million people worldwide, according to the gaming outlet Dexerto, as cited by NBC News. In 2019, Otto announced that “Stick Run 2” was in development, Global News reported.

For many fans who grew up with the game, the news has landed hard. “Thank you, Manuel, for being part of our childhood,” the Stick Run team wrote. “You will never be forgotten.”

What isn’t known?

Authorities have not publicly shared further details beyond the police statement, and the Stick Run team has asked the public not to speculate. Reports about the circumstances should be treated with care, and the video has been removed from Twitch.

Where to get help

If you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone else, you don’t have to face it alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.