Stick Run Creator Manuel Otto Dies at Age 30 [Confirmed]

Stick Run creator and studio owner Manuel Otto tragically passed away at age thirty on October 21, 2026, following an incident during a personal Twitch livestream, the development team officially confirmed through an announcement on X. According to verified reports from Kotaku, the Stick Run development team issued a tribute honoring Otto's legacy, acknowledging that he launched the breakout endless-runner hit on Facebook when he was merely fourteen years old. Otto's indie project quickly evolved into a global phenomenon, amassing over 43 million registered players and spawning dedicated mobile editions published through Nekki. The development team stated that the title was a defining staple of childhood gaming, uniting millions of friends around competitive high-score runs, obstacle navigation, and social leaderboard challenges. Twitch promptly removed the broadcast archive from its platform while the broader gaming industry continues offering condolences to Otto's family and colleagues. In an era where major industry shifts make headlines, such as [The Sims 5: EA Cancels Mobile Game for Project Evergreen [Confirmed]](/news/sims-5-project-evergreen-ea-update), Otto's grassroots journey from a teenage browser developer to an international indie pioneer represents a profound touchstone in browser-era history.