Manuel Otto, the German influencer and video game creator who launched the viral hit Stick Run at age 14, died at the age of 30 after reportedly taking his own life during a live broadcast on Twitch on Tuesday evening, according to reports from The New York Post.
Twitch removed the channel following the incident
The streaming platform quickly intervened after the incident began. A spokesperson for Twitch told The New York Post that the company moved rapidly to remove the channel and the video on demand to prevent further viewing.
“What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing of our community matters deeply to us,” the Twitch spokesperson said.
Stick Run is aware of a livestream on Twitch involving its creator and owner, Manuel Otto, in which he appeared to have taken his own life. We understand that Twitch has since removed the livestream and associated video.We are deeply concerned by this situation and ask that…
The team behind his most famous project released a statement addressing the broadcast. “Stick Run is aware of a livestream on Twitch involving its creator and owner, Manuel Otto, in which he appeared to have taken his own life,” the game’s official account posted on X, adding that Twitch had removed the associated video.
Investigation in Bavaria and Regional Reports
Local reporting from regional outlet PNP, cited by BNO News, indicated that emergency responders discovered a body following a fire in an attic room in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee, a town in the southern state of Bavaria. A neighbor had noticed the blaze and attempted to extinguish it.
Official statement from Stick Run. pic.twitter.com/t2EKGLE6Vd
While regional newspapers connected the fatal fire in Bavaria to the incident, Ukrainian National News noted that the exact location of Otto’s death has not yet been definitively confirmed by authorities, who have not publicly identified the person found in the fire.
The Legacy of Stick Run and Millions of Players
Otto built a massive digital footprint starting in his adolescence. He launched Stick Run as a free-to-play Facebook game in 2010 when he was only 14 years old, according to The New York Post.
The side-scrolling endless runner, which featured a stickman jumping over obstacles and competing in real-time multiplayer modes, grew into a massive global phenomenon. According to data cited by Hindustan Times from Dexerto, more than 43 million people worldwide played the game across desktop and mobile devices.
Manuel Otto created the famous game Stick Run
What was Manuel Otto’s most famous game?
Otto created Stick Run, a side-scrolling endless runner game featuring a stickman figure, which he originally launched as a free-to-play Facebook application in 2010 at age 14.
Stick Run creator Manuel Otto has died aged 30, the game studio has announcedHis death was confirmed after an apparent suicide by self-immolation during a Twitch livestream pic.twitter.com/BCOYjRfozE
How many people played Stick Run?
The game attracted more than 43 million players worldwide across desktop and mobile platforms, according to data from Dexerto cited by Hindustan Times.
What actions did Twitch take following the incident?
A Twitch spokesperson confirmed to The New York Post that the platform quickly removed Manuel’s channel and the associated video on demand to prevent users from viewing it.
More on Manuel Otto
Manuel Otto, the creator of a game called Stickrun dressed up as a woman, turned on Twitch livestream and set himself on fire today and is likely deceased. There is obviously video of this. I do not recommend seeking it out and I will not post stills. If you have more… https://t.co/GzvoqQNnIm pic.twitter.com/1bNomTK1L7
THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF STICK RUN, MANUEL OTTO, IS AT THE CENTER OF HEARTBREAKING REPORTS FOLLOWING A LIVESTREAM INCIDENT. FOR MANY, STICK RUN WAS MORE THAN JUST A GAME. IT WAS A PIECE OF OUR CHILDHOOD — A NOSTALGIC CLASSIC THAT BROUGHT FRIENDS TOGETHER AND CREATED MEMORIES… https://t.co/tqakiaVfDI
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