Manuel Otto Dies After Apparent Suicide During Twitch Stream

WHO:

Kotaku - Manuel Otto was 30 years old.

TMZ - Manuel Otto was a German influencer who created the multiplayer game Stick Run at age 14.

Hindustan Times - Manuel Otto was identified as the creator and owner of Stick Run; his Facebook profile says he developed Stick Run and Stick Combat.

Hindustan Times - Stick Run issued a statement about the livestream and asked the community to respect the privacy of people involved and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation.

WHAT:

Kotaku - The Stick Run team confirmed Otto’s death in a separate post.

Kotaku - Stick Run’s team said the game was part of many players’ childhoods, bringing people together through playing with friends, sharing laughs, competing for high scores, and making memories.

Kotaku - Stick Run spawned official mobile ports published by Nekki and had reportedly amassed over 43 million players.

TMZ - Twitch removed Manuel Otto’s channel as well as his livestream after his apparent suicide.

TMZ - A Twitch spokesperson said the company “moved quickly” to remove Otto’s channel and livestream.

NY Post - Manuel Otto died after setting himself on fire in a livestream.

NY Post - Otto’s body was found after a fire; a neighbor noticed the blaze and tried to extinguish it.

TMZ - Manuel Otto died after an incident during his livestream.

Hindustan Times - Stick Run said Otto “appeared to have taken his own life” during a Twitch livestream.

Hindustan Times - Stick Run said Twitch had removed the livestream and associated video.

Hindustan Times - Stick Run asked anyone with information that could clarify the circumstances to contact the company or local law enforcement.

Hindustan Times - Stick Run describes itself as a multiplayer game in which players control a stick figure, dodge obstacles, compete with others in real time, and trade in a marketplace.

Hindustan Times - The game features leveling systems, item-trading markets, and mobile or web adaptations.

WHERE:

Kotaku - The fatal apartment fire occurred in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee, Bavaria.

NY Post - The fire occurred where Otto’s body was found.

Hindustan Times - The livestream was broadcast on Twitch.

WHEN:

Kotaku - The livestream and apartment fire were reported on October 20; the Stick Run team confirmed Otto’s passing in a separate post on October 21.

TMZ - Otto created Stick Run when he was 14.

HOW:

Hindustan Times - Stick Run’s Facebook introduction says players can compete in real time with people around the globe and trade with friends or other players in the marketplace.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 02:13 UTC)

Manuel Otto, the German creator of the multiplayer game Stick Run, has died at 30 after an incident broadcast on Twitch. Stick Run said Otto appeared to have taken his own life during the livestream. A fire broke out at his apartment in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee, Bavaria, where his body was found; a neighbor noticed the blaze and tried to put it out. Twitch removed Otto’s channel and livestream, with a spokesperson saying the company acted quickly. Stick Run’s team confirmed his death and asked people to respect the privacy of those involved and avoid unverified claims or speculation. Otto created Stick Run at 14, and the game reportedly reached more than 43 million players. The team said it became part of many players’ childhoods, bringing friends together to compete, laugh and make memories.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Manuel Otto, the German influencer who created the multiplayer game Stick Run as a teenager, died after an apparent suicide during a Twitch livestream. Stick Run said Otto appeared to have taken his own life during the broadcast. Reports say he set himself on fire, and a neighbor noticed the blaze and tried to put it out; Otto’s body was later found. Twitch removed Otto’s channel and the livestream, with a spokesperson saying the company moved quickly. Stick Run also said the broadcast and associated video had been taken down. The company asked the community to respect the privacy of those involved and avoid sharing unverified claims or speculation. It said anyone with information that could clarify what happened should contact Stick Run or local law enforcement. Otto’s game lets players control stick figures, dodge obstacles, compete in real time, level up, and trade items with others.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 22:24 UTC)

German game developer and influencer Manuel Otto has died after an incident during a livestream on Twitch. Stick Run, the multiplayer game he created, said Otto appeared to have taken his own life during the broadcast. A fire was reported at the location where his body was found, and a neighbor noticed the blaze and tried to put it out. Otto created Stick Run when he was 14 and was identified as the game’s creator and owner; his Facebook profile also credits him with developing Stick Combat. Stick Run lets players control stick figures, dodge obstacles and compete in real time, while trading items in a marketplace. The game also includes leveling systems and mobile and web versions. Twitch removed the livestream and related video. Stick Run urged people to respect those involved, avoid unverified claims, and share information with the company or local law enforcement.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 17:24 UTC)

German influencer Manuel Otto, creator and owner of the multiplayer game Stick Run, died after an incident during a Twitch livestream. The game said he appeared to have taken his own life during the broadcast. Otto created Stick Run when he was 14, and his Facebook profile also credits him with developing Stick Combat. Twitch has removed the livestream and an associated video, according to Stick Run. The company asked the community to respect the privacy of those involved and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation. It also urged anyone with information that could clarify what happened to contact the company or local law enforcement. Stick Run is a multiplayer game where players control stick figures, dodge obstacles and compete in real time, with features including item trading, leveling systems and mobile and web versions.