World of Warcraft's upcoming Patch 11.1 is set to introduce a touching tribute to the late Mats Steen, the beloved player known for his character Lord Ibelin Redmoore. This heartfelt homage comes in the form of a new NPC named Lord Ibelin Redmoore, who will carry the title of Private Investigator, reflecting Steen's roleplaying career within the game. The character, featured in the documentary "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin," was a prominent figure in the World of Warcraft community, known for his engaging interactions and adventures as a detective around Stormwind.
Patch 11.1 marks the first major content update for World of Warcraft: The War Within, bringing new adventures to the Goblin capital city of Undermine. While the exact release date for the patch remains unconfirmed, clues from the ongoing Turbulent Timeways event suggest it could launch around February 25. This update is eagerly anticipated by the community, not only for its new content but also for the inclusion of this special tribute.
Lord Ibelin Redmoore's NPC model, discovered through datamining, closely resembles the avatar used by Steen in the game. Despite Steen's passing in 2014 due to complications from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, his legacy lives on through this in-game representation, which sports the updated character model seen in the documentary.
Lord Ibelin Redmoore NPC in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1
Steen was a well-known roleplayer and a member of the Starlight guild, using his character Ibelin to forge connections with many players. The new NPC's title as a Private Investigator pays homage to Ibelin's in-game career, where he operated as a detective in Stormwind. While the exact implementation of this tribute remains undisclosed, fans speculate that Ibelin might be found wandering familiar taverns in Stormwind or retracing Steen's daily route through Westfall, Duskwood, the Redridge Mountains, and back to Elwynn Forest.
Players won't have to wait long to experience this tribute, as it may be included in a Public Test Realm build well before the patch's official release. This addition will be the third tribute to Ibelin within World of Warcraft, following a recreation of Steen's real-life grave at Crystal Lake in Elwynn Forest and the Reven fox pet and backpack sold in a charity bundle to support CureDuchenne. The continued recognition of Steen's impact on the community underscores the deep affection and respect he earned from fellow players.
