Noel, I just checked.
The Alien Skin folder I copied across to CC 2014\plug-ins had an .8li and .8bf file — less than 1Mb between them. There is also and Alien Skin folder in Program files with 42Mb of files, so the CC 2014 files must point to the main Eye Candy folder.
Topaz has just put shortcuts to the main Topaz folder in Photoshop\plug-ins for as long as I remember, but they did release new installers when CC came out. I suspect that did the same thing, and made it easier for folk uncomfortable delving into Program Files.
I also have a very old version of Flaming Pear flood which worked OK after doing nothing but copy an .8bi file into Program Files (86)\Adobe\.... (It only works in 32bit Photoshop)
I don't use OnOne or Nik filters.