The first time I tried to play Minecraft, I didn't understand it. Once I did understand the basic idea, I simply had to have the game. I would have gone through any sign-up process there was to get the game, and paid anything up to about $60. The game was different and was a watershed, regardless of inspirations. The sum of those inspirations was much bigger than the parts. I would guess that the success was mostly driven by sheer demand for a unique experience, plus network effects once it reached popularity.