How is "removing complexity" (and i mostly disagree about the "unneeded" part) not "dumbing down" (though i prefer "streamlining") by definition?
Unneeded is the keyword.
It technically is "dumbing down", but in a positive way. Unlike how the OP thinks.
The (artificial) complexity they removed did nothing more then sit there and be useless. Sure, they may have been too aggressive in cutting back, but I'm certain that will be fixed in TES VI.