The long awaited update for Minecraft, 1.8, finally has seen some light. currently the update is playable at PAX and is slated to release in two parts. The first part will be somewhere within a few weeks and the second half will be as 1.9 and they haven't said when but will more than likely follow close behind.

When starting up a world you will be able to choose between Creative or Survival modes. obviously they are very different from each other where Creative will let you fly around, place an infinite number of blocks, and also be able to choose from a pool of the different items and blocks in the game which will replace the inventory, it will also NOT have any damage or mobs. Survival mode will have changes to the combat system which now has critical hits, and charging bow shots. Some other features that will be included are sprinting, better lighting, hunger, experience, NPCs and villages, new and better biomes, and even a new mob known as the Enderman.

The Enderman are actually pretty creepy. They are peaceful until you look at them directly, then they become angry and will teleport to your location and attack you. They can also pick up other blocks and move them around.