Manuel Otto, the creator of the online game Stick Run, has died aged 30, the game's team confirmed on 21 October 2026 following reports of an incident involving a Twitch livestream.
The team had initially said Otto appeared to have taken his own life during the broadcast, but the precise circumstances have not been independently established by publicly available official information.
Otto's death has prompted renewed interest in the developer behind a game that became familiar to players during the early years of Facebook gaming. The Stick Run team has asked the community to respect the privacy of those affected and avoid circulating unverified claims about the incident.
Manuel Otto's Death Prompts Statement From Stick Run Team
The game's official account first acknowledged the livestream on 20 October. In its statement, the team said it understood that Twitch had removed the broadcast and associated video, while urging people to refrain from speculation.
The statement also invited anyone with information that might clarify the circumstances to contact the team or local law enforcement. It did not provide a detailed account of the incident or establish the cause of death.
A subsequent announcement confirmed Otto's passing and identified him by his full name, Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto.
El creador del famoso juego de Facebook “Stick Run” se ha quitado la vida durante una transmisión de twitch.
— AndroNews (@Andronews_net) October 20, 2026
El mensaje ha sido comunicado desde las cuentas oficiales de Stick Run donde se informa que el directo ya ha sido removido de la plataforma. pic.twitter.com/L9uTguEk3y
The team described him as its creator, developer and fellow player, highlighting the personal connection between the man behind the game and the community that grew around it.
The distinction between the team's initial statement and its subsequent confirmation is important. Although the team confirmed Otto's death, the public statements did not provide a definitive explanation of what happened during the livestream.
How Stick Run Became Part of Players' Childhoods
Otto created Stick Run when he was 14. The online game centred on a simple premise, with players controlling a stick-figure character as they navigated obstacle courses and competed against others.
Its accessible gameplay helped it find an audience during a period when browser-based entertainment and Facebook games were popular ways for friends to play together online. For many players, Stick Run became part of their childhood gaming experiences.
The team's tribute reflected that connection, recalling the friendships, competitions and memories associated with the game. It also extended condolences to Otto's family, friends and everyone affected by his death.
Developing a game that reaches an international audience is an achievement at any age. Otto's story was particularly distinctive because he began creating Stick Run as a teenager, long before the game became a familiar name among its players.
The team's statement placed particular emphasis on those shared experiences, remembering Otto not only as the person who created the game but also as someone who played it himself.
Twitch Livestream Removed Following the Incident
Twitch removed the livestream and associated video following the incident, according to the statement published by the Stick Run team. The removal meant the original broadcast was no longer available through the platform, although it cannot establish whether copies were shared elsewhere.
The circulation of claims about the incident has made the team's request for restraint especially relevant. Social media can spread information quickly, but it can also give unverified accounts a reach they might otherwise never achieve.
Sharing distressing footage or repeating unconfirmed details can compound the difficulties faced by a deceased person's family and friends. It can also expose other viewers to material they did not expect to encounter.
The circumstances surrounding Otto's death remain a matter for verified reporting. The team's statements confirm his passing and acknowledge the livestream, but they do not establish a complete account of the events or provide an independently verified cause of death.
For players who remember Stick Run, the team's tribute offers a different focus, returning attention to the game and the memories it helped create. The developer's work remains central to the community's recollections, even as questions about the circumstances of his death remain unanswered.
