WoW Patch 11.1 Introduces Emotional Tribute NPC

Summary

• Patch 11.1 in World of Warcraft may include Lord Ibelin Redmoore, a tribute NPC based on beloved player Mats Steen.
• Patch 11.1 promises new content in Undermine, with a possible release date around February 25.
• According to dataminers, the Ibelin Redmoore NPC has the title of Private Investigator, honoring the late Steen's roleplaying career in WoW.

World of Warcraft is set to pay homage to Mats Steen, the subject of the moving documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, by introducing his player character, Lord Ibelin Redmoore, as an NPC in Patch 11.1. While specifics remain under wraps, fans eagerly anticipate this heartfelt tribute in the upcoming update.

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

However, one anticipated addition to the patch stands out from the Undermine focus. Lord Ibelin Redmoore, discovered by dataminers in the files for Patch 11.1, mirrors the name and appearance of Mats Steen's avatar. Steen, who sadly passed away in 2014 from complications related to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, left a lasting legacy in the World of Warcraft community. His character, despite predating the Warlords of Draenor model update, is depicted with the enhanced visuals seen in the documentary.

Lord Ibelin Redmoore NPC in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1

Mats Steen, through his avatar Ibelin, was a prominent roleplayer and a cherished member of the Starlight guild. The new NPC, titled Private Investigator, pays tribute to Ibelin's in-game career as a detective who engaged with the community around Stormwind. Ibelin's interactions with fellow players made him a beloved figure in the game.

The exact nature of this in-game tribute is still a mystery. Some speculate that Ibelin might be found wandering the taverns of Stormwind, where he was often seen, or perhaps following the route Steen used to take daily, traversing from Stormwind through Westfall, Duskwood, the Redridge Mountains, and back to Elwynn Forest. If included in Patch 11.1, Ibelin could appear in the Public Test Realm builds well before the official release.

This tribute marks the third in-game memorial to Ibelin within World of Warcraft. The first is a recreation of his real-life grave on an islet in Crystal Lake in Elwynn Forest, and the second is the Reven fox pet and backpack sold in a charity bundle to support CureDuchenne. Given the profound impact of Steen's story, it's fitting that World of Warcraft continues to honor his memory in multiple ways.