I was not too enamoured with the world dev environment at the start either.
It was cool though be able to draw and mold terrain with a volumetric brush. The problem then became controlling it so not everything became some messed up rock snake formation.
I think being able to model terrain in maya or 3ds max is a godsend. Why need create custom limited editors that require alot of effort to make when you can use a full featured package of continually improving software built specifically for 3d modelling? imho for small game companies or not-profiting-yet groups, being able to use an external 3d editor is best. If you can't afford a license for either of the big 2 (you must own real software if you release commercial product) there's always milkshape and a couple other 3d modelling packages that are free, less features, but they are actively updated software.
we need more development oriented people around here.
conversations in the main forum are so.... dumb lately.