An hour later, it is the opposition Grand National Party's turn to hit back.

CNN: Evaluating Kim

The Frenchman had trailed main rival Hirvonen after the first full day of competition following an error he made at the opening turn of the second stage, but he hit back in superb style to win all of Saturday's six stages and open up a 26.8-second lead over the Finn.

CNN: Unstoppable Loeb makes it four from four

That virtuous feedback loop from fans to game and back again is almost unprecedented, he said, and has only helped turn it into a huge hit.

BBC: Minecraft fans gather for Minecon in Paris