Fans of Manuel Otto and Stick Run, the popular game he created, are mourning the gaming “legend” after he fatally set himself on fire on a livestream Tuesday evening. Otto, who was 14 when he developed the Facebook game Stick Run, reportedly took his own life while broadcasting live on Twitch.
“Long live a legend,” one Facebook user wrote, recalling how the game hooked them for “many many many hours.” Another commenter noted their childhood memories of playing the game on an old computer, expressing gratitude to Otto and wishing him peace.
The 30-year-old German influencer's body was discovered following a fire at a property in Bavaria, southeast Germany. Local outlet PNP reported that a neighbor attempted to extinguish the blaze but was unsuccessful. German prosecutors have indicated they do not suspect third-party involvement in his death, according to German outlet Bild.
Stick Run confirmed the incident in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, acknowledging the livestream and stating that Twitch had removed the content. The official Stick Run X page later released a follow-up statement confirming Otto's passing.
A spokesperson for Twitch told The Post that the platform had swiftly removed Otto’s channel and any videos of the event. "What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing of our community matters deeply to us," the spokesperson said, encouraging those struggling to seek support and noting the platform's resources for connecting users with mental health services.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.