Mats Steen’s life was deeply changed by gaming.
He was a young man from Norway, battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe illness that sadly claimed his life at 25. Despite his condition, Mats found a unique escape in World of Warcraft, as shown in Netflix’s new documentary, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.
This film was honored with the World Cinema Documentary audience award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Even though Steen passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on through the friends he made in the game. Playing as Ibelin, Mats could do many things he couldn’t in real life, which helped him feel connected instead of lonely.
To bring this story to life, Activision Blizzard provided World of Warcraft assets, allowing animators to recreate Steen’s experiences. One touching moment is a kiss given to Ibelin, which was very special to Mats as he didn’t have such interactions outside the game.
Filmmaker Benjamin Ree pieced together The Remarkable Life of Ibelin using footage from Mats’s family and interviews with his online friends. Their stories ensure Mats and his character Ibelin are remembered.
We often forget how powerful games can be.
Mark your calendars for October 25, when Netflix will release The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.
