FROM IBELIN'S DREAM TO AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE IN THE METAVERSE

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Once Upon a Time, There Was a Hero Named Ibelin

Once upon a time, there was Ibelin: a kind young man, a loyal friend, a fearless warrior. With his courage, he fought epic battles against dragons and dark armies, built majestic cities of stone and dreams, and forged deep bonds with people scattered across the four corners of the world. His digital life was a whirlwind of adventures, laughter, and promises of eternal friendship. Ibelin was a beacon of light for anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. But behind the shining armor and the smile that radiated hope, there was a truth that breaks the heart and, at the same time, lights up the future.

The True Story of Mats Steen

Ibelin, in real life, was Mats Steen: a young Norwegian born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A cruel disease that imprisoned him in a fragile body, unable to run, hug, or explore. And yet, Mats never gave up: through World of Warcraft, he found the key to living beyond his limits. Behind the screen, his avatar gave him wings to fly, a sword to fight, and, above all, a heart big enough to change the lives of hundreds of people.

His story was told in the Netflix documentary The Extraordinary Life of Ibelin (2024): the journey of a young man who, through a virtual world, created bonds, inspired lives, loved, and taught without boundaries.

The Legacy of a Digital Warrior

When Mats passed away, his parents discovered a hidden treasure: hundreds of messages from virtual friends all over the world. People who recounted how Ibelin had saved their lives, given them hope, and lit up their darkest days.

A British boy confessed he had overcome depression thanks to him. A mother found a new way to communicate with her autistic son thanks to Mats’ advice. A girl on the other side of the planet wrote that Ibelin had been her lifeline. His legacy proves that true strength lies not in the muscles, but in the soul.

Deep World: A Project to Free Trapped Spirits

What if the digital realm became a home accessible to anyone, regardless of physical limits?

This is the vision of Geeks Academy with the Deep World project, part of the Master in Digital Life Technologies. The goal: to create a Digital Twin of the EUR district in Rome, and then expand to other neighborhoods, building an inclusive metaverse where people with severe motor disabilities can live, explore, and fall in love.

A world where illness does not set the rules, and a wheelchair is no obstacle.

Project Phases

Data collection with cutting-edge technologies
High-quality 3D modeling
Development of dynamic and authentic social interactions
Testing and refinement to ensure an immersive experience

In just 12 months, the EUR district will come to life in the metaverse: houses, parks, streets, even furnished interiors. It won’t just be graphics, but a living ecosystem, where every avatar is unique and every relationship authentic.

A Future That Embraces Everyone

Mats’ story teaches us that technology can transform lives seemingly destined for isolation. With Deep World, Geeks Academy is writing the next chapter: not just a game, but a social revolution.

Investing in Deep World means giving thousands of people the chance to write their own story, transforming solitude into connection and fragility into strength. Because, in the end, who wouldn’t want to be the hero who helps a young man take flight

Ref.: The Beyond-Human. Humanity at the Next Level.

This article is an excerpt from the weekly column #10 L’hAI Sentito? – Tech News Pills, hosted by Geeks Academy director Antonio Venece, broadcast on channel 14 Italian TV.