You guys joined at the time of inflation. Before CE is about 5k crowns. Now its 7k or something.
Also, I think the energy system is neat because I won't make myself play mindlessly for hours. Removing energy would mean the revival thing would have to be revamped or even removed. Since this game is a free game I think energy is the only way SK is really getting money. It's not like Roblox with their builder's club.