Nev3r didn't make all of ACZ1, he had help from ShadowHog and SSNTails If I Recall.
Here's what
really went down:
Nev3r constructed the majority of the stage, with ongoing assistance and feedback from myself, Boinciel, and other team members. He's also credited with creating a good amount of ACZ's texture set (see: texture creation contest). Nev3r also composed the Arid Canyon Remix tune (which was never intended for use in music.dta, but was put in as an extra) with me working alongside him. He was ACZ's primary level designer.
SSNTails created the very first and very last sections of ACZ1. Coincidentally, he was also the ver first
and last person to touch the level -- he made the final edits. He was very involved with the entire process -- we followed his vision religiously when working on Arid Canyon.
I constructed Arid Canyon's tune (while AJ and Nev3r made the digital OGG for ACZ1). I also helped out by creating a number of concept sketches/artwork, providing ideas and feedback to Nev3r, and doing a portion of the item placement. I also came up with the location for Sonic's emblem.
ShadowHog contsructed the right tunnel passageway. He also helped with tweaking and testing the stage.
Senku helped with enemy/scenery creation. He also came up with a few concepts for the zone, some of which were included in ACZ1 and some that were shelved in favour of the second act.
JEV3 provided feedback and constructed the latter half of the texture set.
Mystic watched from a distance, providing some design/balance suggestions and the occasional bug report.
Torgo fixed any mapmaking errors/glitches found in the map.