I'll post a link to the most prolific mapmaker on YT. He does developer commentary on his maps every once in awhile, and even shows how he makes what he does. His developer commentary on a map prior to this one actually has him going into MCEdit to show how he does things at times, but in this one, he shows sections of his new map currently in beta testing during its construction.
We easily have the talent amongst us to do these types of things. We do not have the time to do this type of project, however. At least on this sort of scale.
This man wants to make more ways to die in Minecraft.