The legend of Herobrine in Minecraft originated from a screenshot posted on 4chan's /v/ board about 16 years ago, depicting a figure with white eyes lurking in the fog, believed to be Notch's deceased brother. The myth gained popularity after a viral stream by Copeland, where viewers saw Herobrine watching him fall into lava. Mojang, the game's developer, humorously claimed that Herobrine had been 'removed' with each game update. The combination of low render distances and foggy landscapes contributed to the eerie atmosphere, leading players to believe they might encounter Herobrine.