[Epic 4G Apps] samep:
gapps-slim1.6_CM11_kk4.4.4.zip (your link to simplicity) change-log coming to post #7.

Recent changes:

Google Play 5.0.31

Google Play services 6.1.74

new Link2SD script added to avoid remounting script and reboot after gapps flash; thanks to Fiouz @ XDA for original script

edited 70-gapps.sh to set default media tones; no guarantees, seemed to work the one-time I tried it. Test it; adjust to preference.

Removed Google Calendar and corrected script to allow CM Calendar to update with nightlies, when applicable.

more script changes to hopefully make the important steps 2-4 below less important (let me know)

more suggestions at post 6

Important! (prior to flash):

1) BACKUP; if you want to skip steps 2-4 or if your encounter problems, goto recovery and wipe data, manually format system, flash CM ROM, flash gapps, restore user apps only (not any Google Apps unless they are missing; ie, Google Search. Missing apps found in Google Play store)

2) goto Manage apps/Downloaded and uninstall updates to Google Play and Google Play Services (this update places Google Play 4.9.13 and Google Play Services 6.1.09 in /system

3) launch a root browser and goto /system/addon.d and delete 70-gapps.sh and 91-cm.sh

4) it's helpful to uninstall keyboards other than the Google L development keyboard used in this gapps (use Titanium Backup or Link2SD to uninstall it); the integrated scripts will remove CM-AOSP KB (Have a preference for a different keyboard? -see post 5)

Note: Your CM Nightly updates can be downloaded and installed by the integrated CMUpdater without overfilling system. Also, gapps will be restored as flashed until 70-gapps.sh is removed or the system is manually formatted prior to ROM flash. Relax; it's auto-magically done without returning to recovery each update. More bloat is being removed -see change-log post 5

Suggested use: Flash prior to next CM11 nightly update to:

1) automatically remove CM wallpapers and AOSP keyboard with each CM11 update. Still supported but epicmtd is now a mini ROM build

2) automatically backup and restore /system gapps with each CM11 update (includes: Google Play version 5.0.31, Google Play Services 6.1.11 and Google L developer edition keyboard (with three themes in advanced settings).

(suggestions and disclaimers)

*Recommend flashing initially as clean install; scripts have been modified to flash prior to nightly but dirty flash at own risk. Subsequent updates of CM 11 nightlies can be done retaining userdata, if preferred, but do so at own risk.

**If not using with clean install on initial flash, may require manual removing of original keyboard in /data partition.

***A recommended trial of these gapps could be done prior to flashing another CM nightly. Backup first. If flashing this shows problems, the userdata may need wiping or manual cleaning prior to flashing nightly and gapps. Once in place and functioning, the /system/addons.d scripts will restore minimal gapps and Google L keyboard as well as remove the bloat each update. Therefore, you can simply use the integrated CM Updater in System settings/About phone/CyanogenMod updates to download and update without manually flashing in recovery.

****Any missing Google apps should be available in Google Play.

FYI: deleting the /system/addon.d scripts manually or manually formatting system partition will defeat the auto backup and restore of this custom gapps with bloat melt.

Advantage? Free up available system and data space occupied by infrequently used gapps or outdated ones. No manual bloat melt or modifying ro partitions required. Automatically repeats manual steps... advanced users can modify to automate most manual steps repeated in CM nightly updates. (One step I still repeat manually after each boot is to cycle location toggle.)

(hints and suggestions for advanced users)

You can add your own preferred user apps at /data/app location of .zip archive using your computer but only recommend that for clean installs. If so, use this once for dirty flashing over existing userdata, your updated custom version once for each clean install. (more after disclaimer)

*disclaimer: nightlies sometimes require clean installs due to changes; dirty flash and customize this at own risk. Always backup prior to flash in case of problems.

Within reason, I can attempt to help with in-demand changes to this. To edit for more /system app removal, look into META-INF\com\google\android\updater-script and follow the method in original to make changes take each gapps flash for clean install. You'll also need to edit /system/addon.d/91-cm.sh following that method to make same changes permanent. To add user apps for clean installs, simply download to computer, open the archive and copy your preferred user apps to /data/app folder (updater-script is already modified for permissions).

Note: for those of you that like to manually format /system prior to flashing nightlies, I've looked at the CM11 updater-script and normal format does indeed take place after backing up per addon.d scipts. For example, the CM50 script actually backs up your /system/etc/hosts and rewrites to same location after its normal system partition format. This is useful for those that use apps that modify hosts to block ads. But, formatting prior to flashing could be useful if you happen to suspect a /system/addon.d backed up script was causing you problems.

Note2: I had given up on using addon.d scripts to restore scripts like Link2SD or Xposed framework but now seem to have some scripts that work for CM Updater updates over userdata; they simply eliminate a couple of manual steps within the applications and the reboot that would follow those steps. This is a safer mod, minimizing risks using the existing user scripts rather than flashing an individual's personal script. Post 3 may contain a future update for advanced users with additional scripts for backing up and restoring Link2SD sdext2 partition remount script backup and restore during CM update as well as Xposed framework /system/bin/app_process and app_process.orig backup and restore as needed. WIP; update coming soon.

Note3:There is potential to gain more system partition space available but preferences vary. Keep in mind that scripts will only impact /system partition. A customized version would be required if advanced users wish to add user apps to /data/app like user tools and apps that load quicker in a flash rather than download or side-load apps.

Note4: I've read other CM forums and latest gapps are recommended. Looking through the changes, I agree. I will try to keep this updated, if needed.