WoW Patch 11.1 Introduces Emotional Tribute NPC

Summary

• Patch 11.1 in World of Warcraft is set to include Lord Ibelin Redmoore, a tribute NPC honoring the beloved player Mats Steen, known from the documentary "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin."
• The patch will introduce new content in Undermine and is expected to launch around February 25.
• Dataminers have revealed that the Ibelin Redmoore NPC will have the title of Private Investigator, a nod to Steen's roleplaying career within the game.

World of Warcraft is preparing to honor Mats Steen, the late player featured in the documentary "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin," by introducing his character, Lord Ibelin Redmoore, as an NPC in Patch 11.1. While specifics are still under wraps, this tribute is anticipated to be a poignant addition to the game, celebrating Steen's legacy.

Patch 11.1 marks the first major content update for World of Warcraft: The War Within, introducing new adventures in the Goblin capital city of Undermine. Although the exact release date remains unconfirmed, clues from the ongoing Turbulent Timeways event point to a potential launch around February 25.

Beyond the new content in Undermine, the inclusion of Lord Ibelin Redmoore as an NPC stands out. Dataminers have uncovered a new NPC model in the files for Patch 11.1, bearing the name and likeness of Mats Steen's avatar. Despite Steen's passing in 2014 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, before the Warlords of Draenor character model update, his in-game avatar retains the updated high-fidelity appearance seen in the documentary.

Lord Ibelin Redmoore NPC in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1

Mats Steen, through his character Ibelin, was a prominent roleplayer and a member of the Starlight guild. The new NPC is titled a Private Investigator, a homage to Ibelin's in-game profession as a detective in Stormwind. This role allowed Ibelin to engage with many other players, fostering connections across the game.

The exact nature of this tribute remains uncertain. Speculation suggests that Ibelin could be found wandering the taverns of Stormwind, where he was often seen, or perhaps traversing the route Steen regularly took in-game, from Stormwind through Westfall, Duskwood, the Redridge Mountains, and back to Elwynn Forest. If Ibelin is indeed included in Patch 11.1, players might encounter him in the Public Test Realm months before the official release.

This tribute marks the third in-game memorial to Ibelin. The first is a virtual replica of his real-life grave on an islet in Crystal Lake, Elwynn Forest, and the second is the Reven fox pet and backpack sold in a charity bundle to support CureDuchenne. The multiple tributes reflect the profound impact Steen's story had on the World of Warcraft community, showcasing the game's commitment to honoring its cherished players.