Reckful: Tributes Paid After Game Star’s Death

Tributes have been paid to video game transmitter Byron Bernstein, known as Reckful, who died Thursday.

Bernstein was a well-known and beloved e-sports player and had 960,000 followers on the streaming site Twitch.

Her brother Gary Bernstein confirmed that Reckful had committed suicide at age 31.

Twitch said Reckful was a “streaming pioneer” and was “devastated” to learn of his death.

Bernstein had built his followers in part by playing World Of Warcraft.

When his death was reported Thursday night, fans held virtual memorials in-game.

Before his death, he had been working to create his own video game, called Everland.

In January, he shared a video on YouTube in which he spoke about his own fight against depression and said that he had lost one of his brothers by suicide.

“Byron was someone who spoke about his difficulties in helping others to do the same,” Twitch said in a statement.

“As we process this loss, we must recognize that the stigma surrounding mental health and treatment often prevents people from seeking and getting the help they need.”

Respecting

by Steffan Powell, Radio Games Reporter 1

Never before has an event organically organized by players seen so many wizards, warlocks, and warriors from Azeroth gathered in so many numbers.

Images of World of Warcraft players gathered in the game’s central cathedral to pay their respects, in record numbers, show how much Reckful’s death has affected people around the world.

Not everyone had followed their journey from top-tier player to game developer, but they came in any case, such was their impact on World of Warcraft and its community.

For some, this was also a way to raise awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health. Reckful had openly discussed his personal struggles on his platform.

Many of those who knelt to remember him last night at Stormwind Cathedral will have related to his experience.

Today, many prominent members of the gaming community, from streamers to senior bosses on Twitch, talk about how people should be kinder to each other and question what else should be done to help people with their mental health.

The gaming industry has been doing a lot of research recently, with many showing up to share their experiences of sexual harassment at events and online.

That soul searching will no doubt continue, now with an additional focus on mental health, as gaming communities discover how to be a safer and more inclusive place.

Her former partner, a player known as Becca, said, in a blog post, that Reckful was “incredible”.

“We need better support for people with mental needs. I remember Byron telling me how traumatized he was when authorities called him for being at risk of suicide,” he wrote.

“Anyone who knew him knew how much it scared and affected him. This cannot be what people feel about the places that should keep them safe.”

• For information and support on mental health and suicide, access the BBC Action Line.