Manuel Otto, the creator of the popular video game Stick Run, has died by suicide at age 30.
Otto appeared to take his life during a Twitch livestream.
“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,” read a statement posted via the official Stick Run Facebook page on Wednesday, October 21.
The statement continued, “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 went on. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched.”
The Stick Run team concluded, “Thank you, Manuel, for being a part of our childhood. You will never be forgotten.”
A spokesperson for Twitch told People on Wednesday that the streaming service “moved quickly” to remove Otto’s video to “prevent it from being viewed by others,” as well as removing his channel. The spokesperson did not address what occurred during the livestream.
“What took place is horrible, and the mental health and well-being of our community matters deeply to us,” the Twitch spokesperson said. “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.”
Otto created Stick Run in 2010 when he was just 14. The video game was initially made available via Facebook before being released for Android and iOS platforms in 2013.
Earlier on Wednesday, a statement posted via the Stick Run Facebook page said, “Stick Run is aware of a livestream on Twitch involving its creator and owner, Manuel Otto, in which he appeared to have taken his own life.”
“We understand that Twitch has since removed the livestream and associated video,” the Stick Run team added. “We are deeply concerned by this situation and ask that everyone respect the privacy of those involved during this difficult time. We encourage the community to refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
