Remembering Stick Run Creator Manuel Otto and the Game That Brought Players Together
The world of online gaming is in mourning after the death of Manuel Otto, the German developer who created the popular mobile game ‘Stick Run’ when he was just 14 years old.
The Stick Run team confirmed the news in a statement on social media on Wednesday, October 21, stating it was with a heavy heart that they announced the passing of their creator, developer and fellow player, Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto.
The team said that Otto appears to have died by suicide during a livestream on Twitch. Twitch has since removed the stream and his channel.
The Stick Run team has asked fans not to share unverified information or speculate about what happened, while also asked for privacy for everyone affected.
Otto was a young teenager when he built Stick Run, a simple but addictive game featuring stick figures competing against each other. It quickly achieved mass popularity, thanks in part to its multiplayer integration.
Otto later became a well-known streamer on Twitch, where he often broadcast live to his followers.
In its tribute, Stick Run wrote: “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.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched.
“Thank you, Manuel, for being a part of our childhood. You will never be forgotten.”
Fans have flooded social media with tributes, sharing their memories of playing Stick Run as kids.
The response from players shows how a small game can become part of a much larger collection of memories. High scores and short competitions may seem ordinary at the time, yet people often remember who they played with, where they were, and how those moments fitted into their childhood. The team’s tribute places those shared experiences at the center of its remembrance.
Otto’s work connected people through something they could return to together. A game did not need elaborate graphics or a complicated premise to become meaningful. Its familiar characters and competitive rhythm gave players a reason to keep meeting, comparing scores, and inviting friends to join.
The request for privacy sits alongside that public appreciation. Fans can remember the work and express condolences while allowing the people closest to him space to grieve. The team’s statement asks the community to preserve its shared memories without turning uncertainty into speculation. That distinction gives the tribute a clear focus: gratitude for what he created, sorrow for his loss, and care for those affected.