German game developer Manuel Otto, the creator of the popular multiplayer title Stick Run, has died at age 30.

Authorities found his body following a fire at a property in Bavaria, southeast Germany. Reports suggest the incident occurred during a Twitch livestream.

The tragedy has prompted streaming platforms and gaming communities to confront online safety policies and acute mental health warning signs.

Twitch Removes Channel After Stick Run Creator Dies in Fire

Emergency crews rushed to an attic fire in Breitbrunn am Chiemsee after a neighbour tried to put out the flames.

Local news outlets reported that the person inside had already died before help arrived. Viewers on social media noted that the broadcast stayed live for roughly 11 minutes before the platform severed the feed.

Stick Run developers addressed the tragedy on social platform X and urged the community to avoid spreading unverified rumors.

'We understand that Twitch has since removed the livestream and associated video,' the team stated. The studio later confirmed the death of founder and lead developer Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto.

A Twitch spokesperson confirmed that staff quickly deleted the channel and purged all associated video recordings.

'What took place is horrible, and the mental health and wellbeing of our community matters deeply to us,' the spokesperson said. The platform added that it offers built-in tools to connect users with local crisis support and mental health resources.

Read more

Gaming Community Mourns Stick Run Creator Manuel Otto

Otto built Stick Run in 2010 when he was just 14 years old. The free-to-play runner launched on Facebook before expanding to mobile devices, eventually drawing over 43 million players worldwide.

After shutting down when web flash technology ended, the game returned with an official revival in 2025.

The development team shared an emotional tribute, honouring Otto for shaping the childhood memories of millions.

'A game we grew up playing with friends, sharing laughs, competing for high scores, and making memories,' the team wrote. 'Today, we mourn not only the loss of our creator, but also a fellow Stick Runner.'

Meanwhile, distressed viewers quickly urged people on social media to avoid searching for clips of the broadcast. 'The details are absolutely horrifying,' one online user wrote. Another user who claimed to witness the livestream warned people to protect their mental health: 'Do NOT look it up... Just log off & go watch Netflix.'

Youth Suicide Risks and Hidden Clinical Warning Signs

Otto's death draws urgent attention to the mental health vulnerabilities young adults face during sudden psychological crises.

The World Health Organization reports that more than 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year. Notably, it ranks as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29.

Predicting self-harm remains difficult because individuals frequently conceal their distress from healthcare providers.

Longtime suicide researcher Dr. Jan Fawcett noted that 78 percent of at-risk patients denied having suicidal thoughts right before dying. 'They were telling other people what they weren't telling the clinician,' Fawcett explained during an industry conference address.

Warning signs of a mental health crisis may include severe anxiety, sudden agitation and persistent insomnia. Recognising these changes and seeking appropriate professional support can help people access care. Global health authorities emphasize that early community support, responsible reporting, and restricted access to lethal means are vital to saving lives.

Read more