Who is Manuel Otto? Viral Stick Run game creator dies by suicide amid livestreaming fiasco

Stick Run creator Manuel Otto reportedly died by suicide on Tuesday, October 20. The 30-year-old reportedly set himself on fire at a property in Bavaria, southeast Germany.

Manuel Otto was an influencer and a video game designer. At just 14 years of age, he created the game Stick Run and launched it on Facebook in 2010. He later expanded it to mobile devices. As per Dexerto, over 43 million people played Stick Run worldwide. The game involved a stick character endlessly running in a two-dimensional plane through various obstacles.

However, on Tuesday this week, Otto started a livestream on his channel from a property in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee village in Bavaria, Germany. He appeared to set himself on fire on a couch during it. His neighbor tried to help after noticing the flames from his house, but was unable to do so.

Stick Run's official page confirmed his death via a statement on October 21, writing on Facebook:

“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," the statement added.

The company extended its condolences to Manuel Otto's family and loved ones. They also expressed gratitude to the late creator "for being part of our childhood."

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Twitch spokesperson shares thoughts on Manuel Otto's livestream

Soon after the livestream, authorities reached Manuel Otto's apartment, but found his dead body. He was livestreaming it on Twitch, which has become one of the most popular streaming platforms for creators worldwide.

A Twitch spokesperson offered their condolences after the incident and said that they worked quickly to remove Otto's livestream and channel. They said (via New York Post):

“What took place is horrible, and the mental health and well-being of our community matters deeply to us. We encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek support, and we offer tools on Twitch to help people connect with local mental health resources in their area."

“We moved quickly to remove the channel and Video on Demand to prevent it from being viewed by others,” they added.

According to German outlet BILD, the authorities have initially ruled out the involvement of a third party in the incident. However, the investigation is ongoing, and they have urged people with information to come forward.

Meanwhile, Stick Run's fans paid their tributes to Manuel Otto on various social media channels, sharing their memories of the game.

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