Minecraft

So, the new update of Minecraft 1.8 came out, and it's pretty amazing.  It's interesting to see new randomly generated villages and strongholds, as well as smoother lighting and a more beautiful sunset.  There are new mobs like "Endermen" which scare the shit out of me when I play the game.  I did notice on the list of updates that Notch mentioned he "removed Herobrine" which means that he actually existed..?

Now that he's gone, our gain in sleep will help us defeat Israphel

As I spent time playing this game with my friends I wondered, what makes this game so grasping?
Is it the fact that your creativity has no limits?

Holy shit.

Is it the feeling of solitude with the combination of soothing music and the instinct of survival?

Ssssssssst

Or is it the idea that one man known as Notch created it?  I think its fascinating how one man's passion could go so far!  Minecraft now has over 13 million people registered, and over 3 million have bought the game.  Those numbers show how interesting a game like this really is, how it started as nothing and became even a passion for some celebrities. 

Yeah you, Joel.

Either way, this game is fantastic and the new update (with it's many perks) makes it even a greater pleasure to play.   If you love it or hate it, let me hear your opinion.  What resonates more from this game in you that makes you play it or what makes you stay away from it?