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Fans of Manuel Otto and Stick Run — the widly popular game he created — are mourning the gaming “legend” after he fatally set himself on fire on a livestream.
The computer whiz, who was just 14 when he created Stick Run, a game on Facebook, reportedly took his own life while broadcasting live to followers on Twitch on Tuesday evening.
“Long live a legend,” wrote one Facebook user, adding that they “couldn’t have been older than 8 addicted to this game”
“This game had me hooked [for] many many many hours, I remember getting every single item,” wrote another Facebook user.
“Every single upgrade has to do the wildest stunts, get the wildest distance etc.”
Otto played the game himself under the username “Mwni,” bringing him closer to his community.
“I remember being a freakin’ child dude,” said one commenter.
“Playing on my great grandmama’s ol windows computer and booting up this account here back in 2013,” he continued.
“Time flies, I had so much fun and I know everyone else has fun on here too.”
“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.”
The 30-year-old German influencer’s body was found following a fire at a property in Bavaria, southeast Germany, after a neighbor noticed the blaze and tried to extinguish it, according to local outlet PNP.
German prosecutors said they do not believe there was any third-party involvement in his death, according to the German outlet Bild.
“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,” Stick Run said in an X post on Monday.
“We encourage the community to refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation,” the statement continued.
“If you have any information that may help clarify the circumstances surrounding this incident, please reach out to us or contact your local law enforcement agency,” it went on.
“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’s official X page said in a follow-up statement on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Twitch told The Post that the platform quickly removed Otto’s channel and any video of his death.
“What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing of our community matters deeply to us,” the 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,” they added.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.