Behind the Scenes: Why the Old Web Had to Go

Why was the website the way it was? A look behind the scenes and a new chapter

Hi everyone, I’d like to share a bit about what’s been happening behind the scenes of our website and why it wasn't ideal in many ways. As I’ve hinted before, the old site ran on a platform that allowed me to set everything up with minimal programming knowledge (basically a Drag-and-Drop editor similar to working in Excel), but over time, it became a massive bottleneck.

Fighting the system: When one setting takes hours

Even though it seemed like an ideal solution for a beginner, the reality was much more complicated. The system has its fixed rules and pre-set templates. The moment I wanted to set something that the system didn't allow by default, or if a function was inexplicably "buried" who-knows-where, the trouble started. I would spend hours looking for one stupid setting just to change the text color in a single block.

With the amount of content, mods, and updates, the work started to drag on incredibly. It was impractical, and there are still things I haven't figured out how to do better. At some point, I honestly gave up – considering I handle translations, YouTube, Discord updates, and have my own personal life, it was impossible to keep the site in perfect condition.

Four sites in one: Administrative hell

The biggest problem, however, was the structure. The system essentially distinguished between four versions of the site:

1. PC Czech version

2. PC English version

3. Mobile Czech version

4. Mobile English version

When I wanted to edit something on the Czech PC version, I had to manually do the same on the English side. And if I didn't want it to look broken on mobile, I had to click through the same thing (often with completely different elements and interface) for the mobile versions.

This was impossible to manage for one person. I basically had to sacrifice the mobile version – it remained broken and outdated, with only the homepage getting occasional updates. Later, I started giving up on the English PC version as well, focusing primarily on the Czech one.

News and translations: A never-ending cycle

It was the same story with news updates. I would write an article in Czech, then I had to publish the same one in English, prepare the actual mod translations for the international community, upload them, pack them, write descriptions, post them on Discord... just hell. :D

All these reasons are why the site was often cluttered, broken, or felt amateurish. On the other hand, back then, it was my only way to even have a website. Originally, it was meant to be a small project for the Czech New Balance community, a mod I fell in love with thanks to the Polish streamer Kajma (from whom I learned the game). At that time, I had returned to Gothic after many years and basically hadn't played any mods until then. When I decided to turn it into a global project with English translations that didn't exist on the internet, it grew significantly, but it became increasingly difficult to keep up.

What will the new website bring?

On the new site, I finally have absolute freedom. All the problems mentioned above will disappear. Many things will be automated and significantly easier. I will no longer be limited by "hidden settings" or platform restrictions.

The site will be finished soon and will work exactly as it should. You’ll be able to report bugs and share your ideas, and I’ll be able to implement them immediately. No limits, no unnecessary operating costs, just a clean space for the Gothic and New Balance community.

Other games?

Yes! Our projects under the Myrtana banner will even expand beyond the Gothic series, but I won't reveal everything just yet :).

More admins on the site?

The new website will also allow me to grant permissions to different people – team members. This will expand what we can do, and I won't have to do everything myself. For example, someone could occasionally write an interesting article or a mod review, another person could publish guides, or someone else could create a new poll every week.

Thanks to everyone for your patience, see you soon on the new website!