Ibelin: ‘Our gamer son proved us wrong about World of Warcraft’

Mats Steen died at the age of just 25 - he'd been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child.

His parents thought he had lived a lonely life, shut away in his bedroom playing computer games.

But after his death, they found out his gaming activities had made him famous online, as an heroic character called Ibelin Redmoore.

A new documentary for Netflix tells his story.

[sweet.dreams]

im a 70 year old with dementia and home bound in a wheelchair, world of warcraft is my link to other people, in a guild of other older adults, most with health and other problems and we support each other like a family spread out over the whole world from england to new zealand and even one in china - life for me would a rather lonely place without my wow famliy

[synthsupreme]

As a wow player, this is why you should always treat other players with respect. Stop the toxicity in game, even if you have a bad day. You never know who's sitting on the other side of the screen.

[LOVEALWAYS]

I have a spinal injury and have most my best friends from wow, my condition is nothing like this dude but when yout physcially limited in life, gaming communitys can be a life saver

[SharonMcwilliams]

What a wonderful way to immortalise yourself with such extreme disabilities. Beautiful ❤ God rest his beautiful soul ❤

[carolemg]

I met my husband playing WoW 16 years ago and we still play together. We have a marvellous 14 years old daughter together. My 33 years old daughter met her husband 10 years ago the same way and they have 2 beautiful little girls. I met wonderful people in this game and grieve the loss of few.

[anxiety_fitness]

I have been playing WoW almost my whole life. I'm 27, the game is entering it's 20th anniversary, I have TRUE core memories from WoW as a child. Did I play too much? Probably. But I enjoyed every moment, learned a lot, and built real friendships. And during hard times of my life, such as becoming house bound due to panic attacks and agoraphobia, WoW was there, and I was free.

[Blandyman]

I was neglected as a child and WoW was where I found love, support and acceptance.

[nabbunsechkie]

"Family is where you're meant to be most free. Don't let blood chain you down." This kid lived that quote up

[BeforetheStorm.]

I don't play videogames but the fact that other people miss him despite never meeting him in person means that he was truly a great person. We lost a brother today. May he be missed. RIP.

[sebastianaminoff]

WoW is an amazing game, that has saved me many times in my life. Barrens music seriously cures depressive thoughts.

[rchlletters]

It’s easy for nongamers to judge gamers as addicts. For those of us who, for whatever reason, cannot succeed in real life (RL) in traditional ways, we can do and be a lot in these other realms and connect with people all over the world. I count those in my gaming group as friends and they add to the adventures of my life. Gaming can be a very healthy and enriching endeavor I wish more people understood this.

[XHYTHTGFRVFGBV]

Nothing surprises me anymore, especially after nearly 10 years of playing Kingdoms of Camelot, where I had the honor of leading my clan. In that time, we shared incredible highs—celebrating members getting married, seeing friendships blossom across the globe, and forming lifelong bonds through Facebook. But we also faced heartbreaking lows, like losing members who passed away and are deeply missed. Our clan brought together people from all walks of life: doctors, nurses, strippers, cowboys, gangbangers, bikers, lawyers—you name it. Regardless of background, we stood side by side, fighting for each other around the clock, every day. The sense of camaraderie was beyond anything I could have imagined.

[enchantedecho]

As wonderful as this tale is, and I cannot wait to watch it, I just want to point out how refreshing it is to see WoW painted in a good light in the media.

[patrickrempel]

Wow has been with me through the toughest parts of my life over the last 19 years i have been a subscriber. I have made a lot of life long friends in the game and this story of Ibelin is not uncommon in the way you can have the richest life with like minded people and completely remove the chains of reality. I don't have a debilitating disease like Mats did and I am so happy he got to experience things he very likely never would have been able to without the amazing community in Wow.

[Tomtompro]

It's sad that it's now that they are seeing it, I've also got muscular dystrophy and getting close to 31, I never know how long I got left I just wing it. Lost my best friend that I met in WoW in 2020 and since then I dropped alcohol completely, I tried explaining to my family who she was to me but it really feels like those parents that will only see it when I'm gone. Love you Tiffy ❤ RIP Mats Steen

[KingDennisJensen]

I've been playing World of Warcraft for 20 years and we've had cool people like Mats in our guild. Treat everyone how you would like you be treated, as simple as that, in the virtual *and* in the real world. <3

[lizbourn]

It must be so comforting for the parents to have this wonderful collection of memories that Mats shared with online friends. My son died at the age of 21 in 1992. No online games, no mobile cameras in mobile phones. No mobile phones. I have internal memories of him but not the wealth of stuff shared by Mats. I wish you well parents of Mats - he played a blinder ❤️❤️❤❤❤❤

[SundraTanakoh]

I have been playing WOW since the first day it went online. 20 years and I have made epic friends along the way. I am now 72 years old and still play everyday.

[centrelens]

Very interesting that he experinced real life experiences like love and friendship but hardly left the house or met people, its shows its partly internal

[tmjtpyd]

its very heartwarming, and it really gave him a life that he was not allowed. just be warned, this is somebody who couldn't live normally, do not take these stories as a reason to hide away in your rooms and rot on games and remain depressed. this is the story of somebody refusing to give up, but this is not the situation for most.