The gaming world is mourning one of its own. Manuel Otto, the creator behind the wildly popular endless runner Stick Run, has died by suicide at age 30. The game’s official Facebook page confirmed his passing on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, calling him“our creator, developer, and fellow Stick Runner.”
What makes this loss hit so hard is the story behind the game. Otto built Stick Run in 2010 when he was just 14 years old. It launched on Facebook, then landed on Android and iOS in 2013, becoming a childhood staple for millions of players. The Stick Run team’s tribute says it all:“Thank you, Manuel, for being a part of our childhood. You will never be forgotten.”
Twitch said it moved quickly to remove the video and Otto’s channel, calling the situation horrible and emphasizing that community mental health matters deeply to the platform. Twitch also encouraged anyone struggling to seek support, and we’ll echo that here. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. What’s your favorite memory of playing Stick Run back in the day?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.