User blog comment:Draevan13/Why the Elder Scrolls ISN'T being dumbed down...much./@comment-6085750-20130411183555/@comment-66.69.252.236-20140216194431

People aren't getting stupider. Elder Scrolls as a series is simply getting more attention and is being mainstreamed. Is that the same as being dumbed down? No. Calling Skyrim casual is like calling Angry Birds hard-core- completely absurd. Skyrim does oversimplify some aspects like attributes and dungeon puzzles, but that is a case of doing a less than satisfactory job of fixing the issues of it being too chaotic and complicated (which Morrowind could be, like the godawful journal system which was eventually fixed by dlc). I think Bethesda is trying to find a system that works, that can be complex but not chalk full of useless crap. They are trying to find a balance between easy to use and complex in a way that appeals to both the mainstream audience as well as older TES fans. They have not gotten there yet, but I think they are legitimately trying and not involved in a conspiracy to appeal to casuals.