yeah, it's gona be really quick to work on 1x1 square meter patches of ground for an entire game! it's one thing having the possibility to add detail, it's another to make it happen without 5 year project cycles.
because you can't combine them, it's either-or, right?
you stop a certain point, developers don't max out their tech because it's not possible, they stop because publishers want the game to be released! take a look at carmacks talk about rage and mega texturing ... even from a guy who is obviously very tech and art focused he realizes this