The online gaming community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Manuel Otto, a 30-year-old German Twitch streamer and creator of the popular online game Stick Run, who reportedly died after setting himself on fire during a livestream.
The disturbing incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, leaving fans and fellow content creators devastated as news of his death spread across social media.
According to multiple reports, Otto appeared to take his own life during a live broadcast on Twitch. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy have raised serious concerns about mental health and the emotional challenges sometimes experienced by online personalities.
The team behind Stick Run confirmed his death on Wednesday, October 21, in an emotional statement expressing profound sadness over the loss of their creator.
The company remembered Otto as a talented developer whose creativity brought entertainment to millions of people worldwide.
Otto rose to prominence after developing Stick Run at just 14 years old. The popular running game, which launched on Facebook in 2010, reportedly attracted more than 43 million players worldwide, becoming a memorable part of childhood for many gaming enthusiasts.
His death has also prompted questions about online broadcasting platforms and how quickly disturbing content can be identified and removed.
A Twitch spokesperson confirmed that the platform acted to remove Otto’s channel and the associated video following the incident.
Meanwhile, German media reported that a 30-year-old man died in a fire at a property in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee, Bavaria, on October 20. A neighbor reportedly noticed the fire and attempted to help before emergency responders arrived.
Although the timing and circumstances appeared consistent with reports surrounding Otto’s death, authorities had not publicly confirmed all details connecting the incident to the streamer.
The tragedy has generated an outpouring of condolences from fans who remember Otto for his contributions to online gaming.
Many have also urged social media users to respect his family’s privacy and avoid sharing disturbing footage or unverified claims about his final moments.
As the gaming community mourns, Otto leaves behind a remarkable creative legacy through a game that entertained millions.
His death also serves as a painful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, compassion and timely emotional support.
