To many people in the gaming community,World of Warcraftcan be much more than just another video game. The relationships that can be found through shared experiences in this virtual world can create real friendships, and even lead to love and marriage in some cases. Whatever a person’s reason for playing may be, the life that is had inside Azeroth can be meaningful and important. Now, a new documentary from Netflix shows one example of that very thing happening, and how this virtual world can serve to overcome boundaries that may exist in this life.
On June 23, 2025, Netflix will release a new documentary,The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, which highlights the true story of a Norwegian man who passed away from a degenerative muscular disease and left his parents grieving the idea that his life had been an isolated and lonely one. After his death, they found that he actually led a much more fulfilling life than they had realized, with a large community of friends in thevirtual world ofWoW.
The documentary is a Netflix exclusive which will showboth the life of Mats Steen in the real world and that of his character, Ibelin, inWorld of Warcraft. It uses animated moments of gameplay, narrated entries from his blog, interviews, and more to share his story with the world.
The Remarkable Life Of Ibelin Debuts On Netflix On August 02, 2025
Emotional Documentary Of A Warcraft Player
The Remarkable Life of Ibelintells of a Norwegiangamer named Mats Steen who died at the age of 25 from a degenerative muscular diseasecalled Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His life in the real world was very limited, lonely, and isolated, with only his family and healthcare personnel. Thanks to his parents providing him with the escape of video games from an early age, however, Mats was able to find escape into a world where he had a very different life. One where he could run and jump, and make a real difference in the lives of many.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Review: Netflix’s Bittersweet Documentary Will Give You Hope
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a touching tribute to a young man whose physical disabilities didn’t stop him from finding a rich life through games.
The parents and family of Mats Steen only realized after his death just how remarkable a life he truly led. After his passing, messages from his online friends began pouring in, including from the love of Mats' life.
Our Take: The Remarkable Life Of Ibelin Is An Emotional Story Of Real Life
Video Games Are Important And Have Meaning
While documentaries like these are emotional and difficult to watch,The Remarkable Life of Ibelinhighlights the empowering and healing nature that can come from games such asWoW. Whether someone has a degenerative disease like Mats, or faces other physical or mental hurdles,World of Warcraftand other gamescanplay a pivotal role in helping make life better. The relationships which can be created in online communities are fulfilling and real, as Mats had through his avatar of Ibelin with so many real people that he came to know through the game.
Many wonderful people struggle to understand the value and importance of gaming in the world. Hopefully, this documentary showing howWorld of Warcraftaffected the life of Mats Steen can help more people come to realize just how beneficial video games as a whole can be.
