Suggestions for a new website with multiple sections

[nayen]

Hi,

I am not sure if this question belongs here but I found this subforum to be the closest one to my question.

I am going to start a video games related website soon and the first thing I want to finalize is its file/folder and URL structure. The website will have different sections for each game with detailed info, each game section will have different homepages and different styles. And there will be a main homepage with its own style that gives general information and news about gaming world. Here is what I am thinking, please let me know if you think there is a better way to handle this or if you have any suggestions.

1. I don't want to create a subdomain for each game such as http://game1.mysite.com/. Instead of this, I want to create a subdirectory for each game such as http://www.mysite.com/game1/. Which one would you prefer and why?

2. I want to store all the content in the database but since each game will have different and extensive content, I decided to create one database for each game and categorize its content into tables. What do you think about having multiple databases?

3. Since each game section will have different layout and styles, I will put core files for each game into one folder "games" to better organize things:

/games/game1/ (files that belong to game 1)
/games/game2/ (files that belong to game 2)
...

4. When I use the above folder structure, my URLs will be like

http://www.mysite.com/games/game1/
http://www.mysite.com/games/game2/

However, I don't want them to be like this. I want the URLs to be

http://www.mysite.com/game1/
http://www.mysite.com/game2/

Is this possible with htaccess rewrites? Or else I will need to get rid of the "games" folder and put all game folders into the root.

This is the first time I will be creating a large-scale website hence I wanted to hear your opinion before I continue. Thanks for any ideas.

[ralph.m]

I don't want to create a subdomain for each game such as http://game1.mysite.com/. Instead of this, I want to create a subdirectory for each game such as http://www.mysite.com/game1/. Which one would you prefer and why?

I'd prefer the subdirectory, too. It's easier to manage usually, and neater, IMHO.

What do you think about having multiple databases?

Doesn't sound like it's necessary to me.

Is this possible with htaccess rewrites? Or else I will need to get rid of the "games" folder and put all game folders into the root

It is possible, but it seems to me you should just put those folders in the root folder anyway.

Are you using a CMS for this, or building it all from scratch?

[nayen]

Ralph, thanks for your reply. I will continue with the subdirectory option, thanks.

I am not using a CMS. Building it from scratch. I am thinking of multiple databases because each game will have huge content in many categories such as quests, items, characters, etc. I have no idea if one single database will do the job.

So, you are saying I just put each game folder in the root? I thought it might be a better idea to have them organized in one folder.

Thanks

[ralph.m]

I have no idea if one single database will do the job.

Even big CMSes use one database, so I'd think so.

So, you are saying I just put each game folder in the root? I thought it might be a better idea to have them organized in one folder.

I prefer to keep the structure as simple as possible, so usually all I have in the root folder is a number of other folders. I find that nice and neat and easy to manage.

[nayen]

Ralph, simplicity is my main concern too, that's why I always try to get some ideas from the community before starting something. My site will be something similar to the following ones: yg.com, zam.com. They are using subdomains but I want subdirectories. Do you think they are running on a single database or one database for each game? Zam also has some separate domains but this is not something I will have.

I have made a couple of database driven sites from scratch before and I can say that I know about databases to some extent but for this one I really can't imagine having all game data (there will be 10+ games) in one database. Because each game will or may have different types of data.

What could be any negative sides for using multiple databases?

[c_c_lia]

Well, I'm not a website professional so I guess I'm going to answer your first question as a visitor. I prefer the url structure as http://www.mysite.com/game1/ since subdomains usually make me confused about whether I'm still on the same site and the worry about info. security follows... I know it sounds stupid but true for me.