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I just watched Ibelin’s remarkable life and was so moved by how RPGs can empower people with disabilities

Online Niel November 16, 2024

It’s easy for those who play or watch the best movies based on video games to want to be immersed in that fictional world. Imagine what it must feel like to live with a physical disability and face severe limitations. It wasn’t until I watched it 2024 Netflix Movie The remarkable life of Ibelin that I felt so moved to see how RPGs can empower people with disabilities like they did for Mats Steen.

Ibelin running in the game World of Warcraft — (Image credit: Netflix)

Ultimate freedom is achieved in virtual worlds, far from the confines of real life

As told in the Netflix documentary through interviews, archival footage and animated video game re-enactments, Norwegian native Mats Steen was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was four years old. Due to rapid muscle degeneration, Mats was confined to a wheelchair until the age of 10. Using only his fingers and having to wear a tube to clear his throat, Mats missed out on typical activities that people his age would do. do, such as playing outdoor sports or hanging out with friends.

Mats’ parents became concerned when he spent 12 hours a day playing World of Warcraft. It wasn’t until his death at the age of 25 that Mats left his parents a password to his blog, where their son’s entire life in online role-playing was presented to them. After Mats’ parents posted on his blog about their son’s death, they were incredibly surprised to discover all the friends he had made who were quick to express their condolences.

As seen in great movies that take place in video gamespeople in the real world are fascinated to unleash their full potential in a realm without limits. That’s what Mats Steen went through, diving world of warcraft, adopting the persona of the muscular Thor-like “Sir Ibelin Redmoore”. Without telling anyone that he was physically disabled in the real world, Mats could freely walk around Azeroth and connect with the people around him. No physical ailment can stop him there, allowing him to unlock the full potential he couldn’t reach outside of roleplaying.

Ibelin faces a dragon in World of Warcraft

(Image credit: Netflix)

Mats’ superpowers were unlocked in Ibelin’s character

In The James Cameron movie Avatar, paraplegic Jake Sully transfers his soul into an Avatar body, where he can walk, run, jump, and perform other feats of strength that his physical limitations could not do in real life. A comparison could be made for Mats Steen, where his portrayal of “Ibelin” helped unlock Mats’ own “superpowers”. He could run, fight, explore realms within the game, and face battles that empowered him, such as fighting a dragon.

Not only was Mats Steen physically strong world of warcraft, but his strength also lay in forging bonds within the role-playing community. For example, Mats helped Xenia-Anni — who told the player she had an autistic son, Mikkel, who didn’t like to be touched — by getting them both into the game to form a family connection. In Azeroth, they gave each other the loving attachment they sought in the other, prompting the two to share warm embraces in the real world.

The Norwegian player also helped a player named Lisette Roovers, aka “Rumours”, reconcile with her parents. After they took too much of her gaming computer, Mats wrote Lisette a letter to give to her parents to convince them why it was important for their daughter to keep playing. Mats’ meaningful relationships in the game and his capacity to love gave the avid gamer a sense of purpose that defied the limitations of his physical problems.

Ibelin giving flowers to Rumor in World of Warcraft

(Image credit: Netflix)

Mats found character development in his avatar

Even though Duchenne muscular dystrophy has taken away Mats Steen’s ability to have friendships and love relationships in the real world, World of Warcraft sure did the trick for him. For example, he developed a romance with “Rumours”, which began with the player playfully taking Ibelin’s hat to familiarize himself with their life on the outside. “Rumors”, Xenia-Anni, Mikkel and others formed the Starlight guild, where they not only came together for virtual adventures in the game, but also offered friendship and support when it was most needed.

Through the multiplayer fantasy game, Mats discovered things about himself as a person, even while portraying a warrior like ‘Ibelin’. We see how compassionate Mats was when he helped Lisette reconcile with her parents. Not to mention that he helped Xenia-Anni and Mikkel form a bond that they didn’t have before. World of Warcraft.

Even though Mats was playing the role of “Ibelin” in World of Warcraftwe still saw complex, human moments reflected in his character. For example, when Mats’s condition started to deteriorate, he lashed out at guild members due to stress and even became a “womanizer” in the game, despite having a good thing with “Rumour”. Through WoW, Mats experienced complex real-world emotions in the safe space of gaming.

Reike, Ibelin, and Rumor are talking in a tavern in World of Warcraft

(Image credit: Netflix)

Mats built friendships without limits

In World of WarcraftMats didn’t have to worry about his physical limitations preventing him from doing activities with his friends. In the realms of the online world, he was free to establish friendships based on shared interests, personalities, and trust. Mats could spend hours with his new friends, engaging in missions, battles and conversations that strengthened the players’ bonds. Because Mats didn’t tell anyone about his debilitating condition, he could just enjoy himself without anyone worrying about him.

Through his character, “Ibelin”, Mats refused to allow his muscular dystrophy to make him antisocial in the role-playing game. No limits were set for Mats to develop a deep relationship with “The Rumor” or to help Xenia-Anni bond with her autistic son. Clearly, the connections Mats made meant a lot to his friends as they all came together to attend his funeral in Norway, showing how meaningful digital relationships can be when there are no boundaries.

Xenia-Anni and Mikkel embrace in The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

(Image credit: Netflix)

Mats cast spells of positivity towards his new friends in the game

Throughout The Remarkable Life of Ibelin documentary, we see how Mats’ friends spoke highly of him and were truly affected, even though they never met in person. After Mats died in 2014, you could say that every friend he made World of Warcraft I didn’t just see him as a playmate. They were all family. Not only that Mats’ wow friends honor his memory at his funeral, but they would all meet inside World of Warcraft for an annual in-game memorial to remember a dear friend.

Conformable TheCinemaholicMats’ friends were deeply influenced by his time in World of Warcraft. Mikkel was motivated to establish independence and study art. Lisette became a Scrum Master to develop and test projects, as well as help teamwork. Mats’ memory lived on through each of his friends, who became the people they found the courage to be in their shared online world.

Ibelin looked touched after Rumor kissed him on the cheek in World of Warcraft

(Image credit: Netflix)

Mats Steens’ inspiring legacy that emerged from World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft wasn’t just a game for Mats Steen. It was his gateway to adventure and meaningful relationships that he couldn’t find in the real world.

Through the Netflix documentary, Mats Steen showed the world that people with disabilities can do well with online games. The organization Cure Duchenne was so moved by Mats story told in The Remarkable Life of Ibelin that they teamed up with Blizzard Entertainment to adopt a limited edition pet, Reven the Fox, in World of Warcraft who will join players in their online adventures. For $20, those who purchase the Reven Package now through January 7, 2025 will have 100% of the purchase price go to Cure Duchenne for research and improved care. Time even reported that Mats’ parents created their own shared wow avatar in hopes of leveling up to join the Starlight guild.

When Mats Steen was alive, his parents felt sad for their son, believing that his Duchenne muscular dystrophy prevented him from having a social life. Once, Mats left his parents World of Warcraft blog password, were amazed at the life “Ibelin” had built for himself and the many friends he had made. Just as I found Mats Steen’s story so moving, others with disabilities and their families can be inspired to delve into an online role-playing adventure, building authentic connections and creating a sense of purpose without any real-world limits to stands in their way.

The Movie release in 2024 of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is available on your Netflix subscription.

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I just watched Ibelin’s remarkable life and was so moved by how RPGs can empower people with disabilities

Ultimate freedom is achieved in virtual worlds, far from the confines of real life

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I just watched Ibelin’s remarkable life and was so moved by how RPGs can empower people with disabilities

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