Norwegian Mats Steen (25) suffered from a serious muscle disease that left him barely able to move. He preferred to spend his days in the online game World of Warcraft. There, as a muscular detective, he could run, toast with mugs of beer and maintain close friendships, everything he missed in everyday life. Lisette Roovers from Breda was one of his friends in the digital world, and Mats was secretly in love with her. Their special story can now be seen on Netflix in the moving documentary ‘The remarkable life of Ibelin’.
Lisette and Mats lived in Breda and Oslo, more than 1,500 kilometers apart, and had never met each other before. real life meet. Yet they saw each other every day in the medieval fantasy world of Azeroth. He as Ibelin, with arms as thick as tree trunks, loyal eyes and a beard and ponytail, she as Rumour, a beautiful brunette who liked to play pranks.
“Mats was a good listener and gave wise advice to others,” says Lisette, now 34 years old. “He was very social and did a lot for me. But I was not in love, that is a bit romanticized in the documentary.”
Mats suffered from Duchenne’s disease. (Image: Netflix/The remarkable life of Ibelin’)
Lisette’s parents thought that as a 17-year-old she spent too much time gaming. When her study results left much to be desired, they decided to take away her computer. Much to the sorrow of Lisette, who became lonely and even depressed. Mats then wrote a beautiful letter to her parents in which he explained that she had lost an entire group of friends because of this. Lisette’s father and mother had no idea. After a while, she got her laptop back and Rumor returned to the game.
Ibelin en Rumour in World of Warcraft. (Beeld: Netflix/The remarkable life of Ibelin)
For a long time, Warcraft players did not know who was behind Ibelin. Mats consciously refrained from further contact. Only when he put his weblog online, in which he wrote about his days, did they read that he suffered from Duchenne’s disease and could only move his fingers. For example, he operated his game console with a special console and had access to World of Warcraft.
Mats could only move his fingers. (Image: Netflix/The remarkable life of Ibelin)
“We realized that he would not live to be thirty, but his death still came as a shock,” says Lisette. “On his blog we read a piece from his parents entitled ‘The journey has come to an end’. They announced that Mats had died.”
Mats’ parents thought he was very lonely, confined to a wheelchair, with no chance of a normal life. And that caused them immense sorrow. “His world seemed so limited,” his father said. It was only after his death in 2014 that they discovered that he had a wealth of friends online and was very loved, when the emails with condolences and expressions of support poured in.
Lisette attended Mats’ funeral in Norway with a bunch of other gamers and helped carry his coffin. Another friend gave a speech.
“For him it was a world that opened up.”
“For people like Mats, who are hampered by physical circumstances, it was a way to connect with others,” says Lisette. “The power of technology and the internet is phenomenal. He could just chat and maintain social contacts and not have to worry about his illness for a while. It was a world that opened up for him.”
The fact that there is a documentary about Mats’ life is a special experience for Lisette and also a bit scary. “It’s not every day that you get a whole film crew at home,” she says, laughing. “People now also recognize me on the street. But it is a beautiful story and I hope it will bring a lot of good into the world.”
The gaming community is still a big thing for Lisette. “As friends, we regularly visit each other to say hi and chill together. Recently, sixteen people of us were together in England. The youngest is 20 years old, the oldest is 70. That click that we have online is also there offline. “
Mats has never been forgotten. On the day the documentary was released, there was an in memoriam for Ibelin in World of Warcraft. “Many people came there to show their respect,” said Lisette. There’s even a virtual gravestone for their beloved friend, where the characters can go to remember him.
Waiting for privacy settings…
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
The documentary The remarkable life of Ibelin gives a moving insight into the short life of Mats Steen (1989 – 2014) and the world of online gaming. The Warcraft players kept logs of all the digital conversations they had. Director Benjamin Ree, who made the documentary, thus had a kind of script in hand. In old private videos of the family and animations – entirely in the style of Warcraft – you can see how the sick Mats in his parallel world did indeed have friends with sincere, deep contact. The documentary can be seen on Netflix.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin: A Game with a Soul
Strap yourselves in, folks! We’re diving headfirst into a heartwarming tale of a muscular detective, a virtual realm, and a love that stretched over 1,500 kilometers, because what else could possibly be as romantic and tragic as a character from World of Warcraft falling for someone who wasn’t just pixels on a screen? Meet Mats Steen, a 25-year-old Norwegian with a serious muscle disease that would have crushed many a spirit. Instead, Mats embraced his inner hero as he transformed into Ibelin, a brawny figure within the fantastical universe of Azeroth. Forget Tinder; who needs that when you have the entire gaming world at your fingertips?
Image: Mats Steen as Ibelin in World of Warcraft.
Lisette Roovers, a resident of Breda, unknowingly stepped into this epic storyline as Mats’ fellow adventurer and secret crush. Their romance was the quintessential “will they, won’t they” regulars of the gaming chats. They never actually met – of course, that would have been too easy and boring! Instead, they enjoyed the thrills of battle, shared mugs of virtual beer, and let their imaginations run wild, all while being separated by approximately 1,500 kilometers. Distance? Just a minor detail when you’re wielding swords and slaying dragons!
Love at First Click
Lisette’s perspective on Mats is refreshingly honest. “He was a good listener,” she recalls. “But don’t go romanticizing everything; I wasn’t in love with him!” Ah, classic platonics! Someone needs to write a sitcom about online friendships, and Lisette would truly shine as the down-to-earth heroine taking on love through technology while swiping left on the unrealistic fantasy expectations baked into most rom-coms.
Mats dealt with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is like getting a life sentence in a video game where you can barely move, and yet he never showed signs of wanting to quit. With a specially adapted game console, he connected with others who transformed into his fearless companions, and the world of his imagination flourished! That’s right, people! The man didn’t just sit back and wallow in his circumstances; he joined a guild and stole loot like a champion! Bravo, Mats!
Creators and Community
In a plot twist worthy of any great narrative, after Mats’ passing, his parents learned he was anything but alone. It took them losing their son to discover that he had formed deep online friendships. Ironically, technology brought Mats the solace and joy that the outside world had denied him. And let’s be honest, isn’t a virtual world a tad more exciting than the grind of everyday life? Who wouldn’t inspire to connect with friends across the globe whilst simultaneously slaying mechanical dragons?
“For him it was a world that opened up.”
On Mats’ funeral day, a swarm of fellow gamers descended on Norway to pay their respects – carry the coffin, and even where to speak about the brotherhood formed through battle cries and tactical missions. And Lisette? She was right there, bridging the gap between reality and the online connections that meant so much to Mats. That, my friends, is true friendship!
A Documentary Worth Watching
And now, sitting among us like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we have the Netflix documentary, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, directed by Benjamin Ree. It paints a picture of Mats’ life, chronicling his battles both in and out of the game. With insights, animations, and old family videos, it is both an emotional journey and a celebration of a life lived boldly behind the screen.
Image: The Remarkable Life of Ibelin – Netflix.
As the gaming community continues to honor Mats – with in-game tributes and virtual gravestones – one can’t help but feel that Mats has transcended his earthly limitations through the love of a community bound by a shared passion. He’s like Obi-Wan, inspiring the next generation of gamers while still managing to keep that extra slice of mystery by not being just a “normal” hero.
So, to those of you who’ve watched the documentary, remember: connecting with others online isn’t just for raising virtual armies and trading loot; it can also create wild, life-affirming experiences. And who knows? Your next epic romance could start with a dependable tank in your favorite MMORPG. Not that you should neglect to talk to people in the grocery store, but who said you can’t have it both ways?
Norwegian Mats Steen, at just 25 years of age, grapples with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating condition that rendered him almost entirely immobile. To escape his harsh reality, he immersed himself in the online universe of World of Warcraft, where he transformed into a brawny detective, relishing every opportunity to run, toast with oversized mugs of ale, and forge bonds with fellow gamers—experiences that eluded him in the physical world. Among his digital companions was Lisette Roovers from Breda, a friendship that blossomed into something deeper, as Mats harbored secret feelings for her. Their poignant narrative is now beautifully captured in the Netflix documentary ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’.
Mats and Lisette, who lived over 1,500 kilometers apart in Oslo and Breda, respectively, had only ever met in the immersive medieval realm of Azeroth. He took on the persona of Ibelin, a figure with arms like tree trunks, piercing loyal eyes, and a distinctive beard complemented by a ponytail, while she portrayed Rumour, a clever brunette with a penchant for mischief and pranks.
Lisette recalls their interactions fondly, noting, “Mats was a good listener and offered wise counsel to those around him. He was genuinely sociable and went out of his way to support me. However, I wasn’t in love with him; that aspect of our relationship feels somewhat romanticized in the documentary.”
Mats’ struggle with Duchenne’s disease cast a long shadow over his life. His parents were deeply concerned about his loneliness, as he spent countless hours confined to a wheelchair. “His world seemed so limited,” his father reflected. It wasn’t until after his passing in 2014 that they discovered the profound online connections their son had nurtured, as condolences and heartfelt messages flooded in, revealing the extensive web of friendships he had formed through gaming.
Lisette, heartbroken yet determined, attended Mats’ funeral in Norway, standing alongside fellow gamers as they carried his coffin; one of their friends gave a touching eulogy that captured his essence. “For him, it was a world that opened up,” Lisette shared, portraying how technology became a bridge for those with physical constraints. “He could chat, foster social connections, and momentarily forget about the limitations imposed by his illness.”
The release of the documentary has been a surreal experience for Lisette, who chuckles at the attention her life is getting. “It’s not every day a film crew shows up at your door. Now, people even recognize me in public,” she admits. Despite the nerves, she views it as an opportunity for the beautiful story of Mats to inspire positive change in the world.
The bonds formed within the gaming community remain strong for Lisette. “As friends, we often get together to catch up and just relax. Recently, a group of sixteen of us traveled to England. Our ages vary from 20 to 70, yet the connection we forged online resonates just as deeply in real life.”
Mats’ legacy continues to be honored; on the day the documentary premiered, there was a memorial for Ibelin held within World of Warcraft. “Numerous players came to pay their respects,” Lisette noted, highlighting a virtual gravestone established in memory of their beloved friend, where gamers can gather to remember his spirit.
The documentary ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’ offers a profoundly moving glimpse into Mats Steen’s brief yet impactful life, juxtaposed with the exhilarating world of online gaming. Director Benjamin Ree crafted a narrative rich in emotion, piecing together logs of digital conversations alongside personal family videos and captivating animations stylized after the Warcraft universe. It poignantly illustrates how, even in his challenging circumstances, Mats cultivated sincere friendships that transcended the boundaries of the digital realm.
Emphasizing the transformative power of the online gaming experience in Mats’ life.
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
The community of players he left behind has not only honored his memory but has also demonstrated the deep impact he had on their lives. On the day of the documentary’s release, a poignant in memoriam was held within World of Warcraft for Mats, known in the game as Ibelin. Many players congregated to pay their respects, gathering at a virtual gravestone created to commemorate their beloved friend. “It was a beautiful way for everyone to connect and remember him,” Lisette noted, reflecting on how their digital bonds transcended physical distance.
This sense of connection is at the heart of their story and is echoed in the documentary. Director Benjamin Ree masterfully intertwines animated segments styled specifically for fans of the game with private family footage, showcasing not only Mats’ struggles but also the joy and friendship he experienced in the online realm. The film captures his spirit beautifully, revealing the supportive community that emerged around him, which expanded his world and enriched his life despite the physical limitations imposed by his condition.
Breaking Barriers Through Gaming
As the documentary continues to receive attention, it raises important conversations about the intersection of technology and human connection. Mats’ journey is a testament to how online communities can provide solace and friendship in ways that off-screen interactions sometimes fail to do, particularly for those facing isolation due to health challenges or disability. It challenges us to rethink our perceptions of virtual friendships, recognizing the depth of sentiments that can flourish in digital spaces.
Lisette’s reflection on their relationship provides a grounded perspective within a realm often filled with idealized views of online interactions. It illustrates how powerful and nuanced these connections can be, filled with camaraderie, humor, and support, even if they don’t always fit the traditional mold of romance. Their story, much like the pinnacle of gaming experiences, is both exhilarating and deeply moving.
Final Thoughts
In navigating the complexities of life, love, and friendship through gaming, Mats Steen’s legacy serves as a reminder that every interaction can leave an indelible mark on our lives. Through the lens of Lisette and the gaming community, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is not just a documentary about a young man’s journey; it is a celebration of resilience, connection, and the extraordinary ways technology can bridge gaps in our lives. It teaches us that the bonds forged in the digital world can be just as profound and meaningful as those cultivated in our everyday experiences.
So, as you venture into your next gaming session, remember Mats Ibelin and the friendships forged in realms of fantasy. Who knows? Your next adventure could change a life forever.
