Manuel Otto, the German developer behind the Facebook game Stick Run, has died after fatally setting himself on fire during a livestream on Twitch Tuesday evening. He was 30.
Otto’s body was discovered after a fire at a property in Bavaria, in southeast Germany. A neighbor noticed the blaze and attempted to put it out before authorities arrived, according to local outlet PNP.
German prosecutors said they do not believe a third party was involved in his death, German outlet Bild reported.
Otto created Stick Run at age 14, and the game became a widely played title on Facebook. He was known to his community under the username “Mwni,” through which he remained closely connected to longtime players.
Twitch confirmed it removed Otto’s channel and any footage of the stream shortly after the incident. A spokesperson for the platform said: “What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing 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.”
Stick Run’s official account posted on X that it was “aware of a livestream on Twitch involving its creator and owner, Manuel Otto, in which he appeared to have taken his own life,” noting that Twitch had removed the stream and associated video. The post urged followers to “refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation” and asked anyone with relevant information to contact the company or local law enforcement.
In a follow-up statement, Stick Run confirmed the death: “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.”
Fans remember a childhood staple
News of Otto’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans who grew up playing Stick Run. “Long live a legend,” one Facebook user wrote, recalling being “addicted to this game” as a child no older than eight.
“This game had me hooked [for] many many many hours, I remember getting every single item. Every single upgrade has to do the wildest stunts, get the wildest distance etc.”
Another commenter described discovering the game as a child in 2013 on an old Windows computer, writing: “Today I found out, over a decade later, that the beautiful creator of this game & universe, has passed. Thank you Manuel, and rest in peace Mwni.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also dial 988, the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline, or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
