This is mostly for validation. To see if anyone feels the same.

1.9.2 is the best update we've had in a long time. My favorite part of minecraft was always mining. I quit playing for such a long time because I'd get stoked for a new update, just to find cosmetic changes and new decoration blocks. Very annoying for someone who's about the adventure of mining and exploring. I'm hoping this 1.9 change is the beginning of mojang actually starting to add things that matter towards the gameplay rather than new aesthetics. I say this with all due respect to the amazing builders of the minecraft world. Nothing but respect to those who find just building in creative mode fun. That's all good. I just prefer mining and adventuring. I don't get how we've had this many updates, and still only the same 3 ores to make tools and armor out of. That absolutely blows my mind. The game is called MINEcraft, not decoratecraft. I don't think you can disagree that they should focus at least a little more on the mining and survival gameplay aspect of the game. Especially after so many updates of no new ores or armor types or anything like that. Let's face it, it's probably safe to say that a majority of us started only building things in minecraft because we saw all there is to see in survival and got bored. And survival is what drew us older players to the game in the first place. I feel the updating for this game has been pretty one-sided for too long.