diff --git a/backend/index.js b/backend/index.js
index e77c046..604834a 100644
--- a/backend/index.js
+++ b/backend/index.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const FileStoreFactory = require('session-file-store')
 
 const { ensureData } = require('./src/db')
 const authRoutes = require('./src/routes/auth')
-const gamesRoutes = require('./src/routes/games')
+const topicsRoutes = require('./src/routes/games')
 const tierListsRoutes = require('./src/routes/tierlists')
 const adminRoutes = require('./src/routes/admin')
 
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ app.use(async (req, res, next) => {
 })
 
 app.use('/api/auth', authRoutes)
-app.use('/api/games', gamesRoutes)
-app.use('/api/topics', gamesRoutes)
+app.use('/api/games', topicsRoutes)
+app.use('/api/topics', topicsRoutes)
 app.use('/api/tierlists', tierListsRoutes)
 app.use('/api/admin', adminRoutes)
 
diff --git a/backend/src/db.js b/backend/src/db.js
index 8fac2c3..8d7ced1 100644
--- a/backend/src/db.js
+++ b/backend/src/db.js
@@ -737,7 +737,7 @@ async function adminDeleteUser(id) {
   await query('DELETE FROM users WHERE id = ?', [id])
 }
 
-async function listGames(currentUserId = '', options = {}) {
+async function listTopics(currentUserId = '', options = {}) {
   const includePrivate = !!options.includePrivate
   const rows = await query(
     `
@@ -753,23 +753,23 @@ async function listGames(currentUserId = '', options = {}) {
     `,
     [FREEFORM_TOPIC_ID]
   )
-  const games = rows.map(mapGameRow)
-  if (!currentUserId) return games.map((game) => ({ ...game, isFavorited: false }))
+  const topics = rows.map(mapGameRow)
+  if (!currentUserId) return topics.map((topic) => ({ ...topic, isFavorited: false }))
 
   const favoriteRows = await query('SELECT topic_id FROM favorite_topics WHERE user_id = ?', [currentUserId])
   const favoriteSet = new Set(favoriteRows.map((row) => row.topic_id))
-  return games.map((game) => ({
-    ...game,
-    isFavorited: favoriteSet.has(game.id),
+  return topics.map((topic) => ({
+    ...topic,
+    isFavorited: favoriteSet.has(topic.id),
   }))
 }
 
-async function findGameById(id) {
+async function findTopicById(id) {
   const rows = await query('SELECT id, name, thumbnail_src, is_public, display_rank, created_at FROM topics WHERE id = ? LIMIT 1', [id])
   return mapGameRow(rows[0])
 }
 
-async function listGameItems(gameId) {
+async function listTopicItems(topicId) {
   const rows = await query(
     `
       SELECT id, topic_id, src, label, display_order, created_at
@@ -781,24 +781,24 @@ async function listGameItems(gameId) {
         created_at DESC,
         id DESC
     `,
-    [gameId]
+    [topicId]
   )
   return rows.map(mapGameItemRow)
 }
 
-async function findGameItemById(itemId) {
+async function findTopicItemById(itemId) {
   const rows = await query('SELECT id, topic_id, src, label, display_order, created_at FROM topic_items WHERE id = ? LIMIT 1', [itemId])
   return mapGameItemRow(rows[0])
 }
 
-async function getGameDetail(gameId) {
-  const game = await findGameById(gameId)
-  if (!game) return null
-  const items = await listGameItems(gameId)
-  return { game, items }
+async function getTopicDetail(topicId) {
+  const topic = await findTopicById(topicId)
+  if (!topic) return null
+  const items = await listTopicItems(topicId)
+  return { topic, game: topic, items }
 }
 
-async function createGame({ id, name, isPublic = true }) {
+async function createTopic({ id, name, isPublic = true }) {
   await query('INSERT INTO topics (id, name, thumbnail_src, is_public, display_rank, created_at) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)', [
     id,
     name,
@@ -807,17 +807,17 @@ async function createGame({ id, name, isPublic = true }) {
     null,
     now(),
   ])
-  return findGameById(id)
+  return findTopicById(id)
 }
 
-async function updateGameThumbnail(gameId, thumbnailSrc) {
-  await query('UPDATE topics SET thumbnail_src = ? WHERE id = ?', [thumbnailSrc, gameId])
-  return findGameById(gameId)
+async function updateTopicThumbnail(topicId, thumbnailSrc) {
+  await query('UPDATE topics SET thumbnail_src = ? WHERE id = ?', [thumbnailSrc, topicId])
+  return findTopicById(topicId)
 }
 
-async function updateGameVisibility(gameId, isPublic) {
-  await query('UPDATE topics SET is_public = ? WHERE id = ?', [isPublic ? 1 : 0, gameId])
-  return findGameById(gameId)
+async function updateTopicVisibility(topicId, isPublic) {
+  await query('UPDATE topics SET is_public = ? WHERE id = ?', [isPublic ? 1 : 0, topicId])
+  return findTopicById(topicId)
 }
 
 async function findImageAssetByHash(contentHash) {
@@ -1347,14 +1347,15 @@ async function clearImageOptimizationJobs({ month } = {}) {
   const result = await query('DELETE FROM image_optimization_jobs')
   return Number(result.affectedRows || 0)
 }
-async function createGameItem({ id, gameId, src, label }) {
+async function createTopicItem({ id, topicId, gameId = topicId, src, label }) {
   const createdAt = now()
-  const minOrderRows = await query('SELECT MIN(display_order) AS min_display_order FROM topic_items WHERE topic_id = ?', [gameId])
+  const resolvedTopicId = topicId || gameId
+  const minOrderRows = await query('SELECT MIN(display_order) AS min_display_order FROM topic_items WHERE topic_id = ?', [resolvedTopicId])
   const nextDisplayOrder =
     minOrderRows[0]?.min_display_order == null ? 0 : Number(minOrderRows[0].min_display_order) - 1
   await query('INSERT INTO topic_items (id, topic_id, src, label, display_order, created_at) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)', [
     id,
-    gameId,
+    resolvedTopicId,
     src,
     label,
     nextDisplayOrder,
@@ -1364,25 +1365,25 @@ async function createGameItem({ id, gameId, src, label }) {
   return mapGameItemRow(rows[0])
 }
 
-async function updateGameItemLabel(itemId, label) {
+async function updateTopicItemLabel(itemId, label) {
   await query('UPDATE topic_items SET label = ? WHERE id = ?', [label, itemId])
   const rows = await query('SELECT id, topic_id, src, label, display_order, created_at FROM topic_items WHERE id = ? LIMIT 1', [itemId])
   return mapGameItemRow(rows[0])
 }
 
-async function updateGameItemDisplayOrder(gameId, itemIds) {
+async function updateTopicItemDisplayOrder(topicId, itemIds) {
   const normalizedIds = Array.from(new Set((itemIds || []).filter(Boolean)))
-  const existingItems = await listGameItems(gameId)
+  const existingItems = await listTopicItems(topicId)
   const existingIdSet = new Set(existingItems.map((item) => item.id))
   const orderedIds = normalizedIds.filter((id) => existingIdSet.has(id))
   const remainingIds = existingItems.map((item) => item.id).filter((id) => !orderedIds.includes(id))
   const finalIds = [...orderedIds, ...remainingIds]
 
   await Promise.all(
-    finalIds.map((itemId, index) => query('UPDATE topic_items SET display_order = ? WHERE id = ? AND topic_id = ?', [index + 1, itemId, gameId]))
+    finalIds.map((itemId, index) => query('UPDATE topic_items SET display_order = ? WHERE id = ? AND topic_id = ?', [index + 1, itemId, topicId]))
   )
 
-  return listGameItems(gameId)
+  return listTopicItems(topicId)
 }
 
 async function updateCustomItemLabel(itemId, label) {
@@ -1413,7 +1414,7 @@ async function updateImageAssetLabel(assetId, label) {
   return mapImageAssetRow(rows[0])
 }
 
-async function countTierListsUsingGameItem(itemId) {
+async function countTierListsUsingTopicItem(itemId) {
   if (!itemId) return { totalCount: 0, publicCount: 0, privateCount: 0 }
 
   const rows = await query(
@@ -1441,16 +1442,16 @@ async function countTierListsUsingGameItem(itemId) {
   return { totalCount, publicCount, privateCount }
 }
 
-async function deleteGameItem(itemId) {
+async function deleteTopicItem(itemId) {
   await query('DELETE FROM topic_items WHERE id = ?', [itemId])
 }
 
-async function deleteGame(gameId) {
-  await query('DELETE FROM topics WHERE id = ?', [gameId])
+async function deleteTopic(topicId) {
+  await query('DELETE FROM topics WHERE id = ?', [topicId])
 }
 
-async function updateGameDisplayOrder(gameIds) {
-  const normalizedIds = Array.from(new Set((gameIds || []).filter((id) => id && id !== FREEFORM_TOPIC_ID))).slice(0, 50)
+async function updateTopicDisplayOrder(topicIds) {
+  const normalizedIds = Array.from(new Set((topicIds || []).filter((id) => id && id !== FREEFORM_TOPIC_ID))).slice(0, 50)
 
   await query('UPDATE topics SET display_rank = NULL WHERE id <> ?', [FREEFORM_TOPIC_ID])
 
@@ -1460,7 +1461,7 @@ async function updateGameDisplayOrder(gameIds) {
     )
   )
 
-  return listGames()
+  return listTopics()
 }
 
 async function createCustomItem({ id, ownerId, src, label }) {
@@ -1475,6 +1476,22 @@ async function createCustomItem({ id, ownerId, src, label }) {
   return { id, ownerId, src, label, origin: 'custom', createdAt }
 }
 
+const listGames = listTopics
+const findGameById = findTopicById
+const listGameItems = listTopicItems
+const findGameItemById = findTopicItemById
+const getGameDetail = getTopicDetail
+const createGame = createTopic
+const updateGameThumbnail = updateTopicThumbnail
+const updateGameVisibility = updateTopicVisibility
+const createGameItem = createTopicItem
+const updateGameItemLabel = updateTopicItemLabel
+const updateGameItemDisplayOrder = updateTopicItemDisplayOrder
+const countTierListsUsingGameItem = countTierListsUsingTopicItem
+const deleteGameItem = deleteTopicItem
+const deleteGame = deleteTopic
+const updateGameDisplayOrder = updateTopicDisplayOrder
+
 async function syncOwnedCustomItemLabels({ ownerId, items }) {
   const customItems = Array.from(
     new Map(
@@ -2511,14 +2528,19 @@ async function unfavoriteTierList({ userId, tierListId }) {
   await query('DELETE FROM favorite_tierlists WHERE user_id = ? AND tierlist_id = ?', [userId, tierListId])
 }
 
-async function favoriteGame({ userId, gameId }) {
-  await query('INSERT IGNORE INTO favorite_topics (user_id, topic_id, created_at) VALUES (?, ?, ?)', [userId, gameId, now()])
+async function favoriteTopic({ userId, topicId, gameId = topicId }) {
+  const resolvedTopicId = topicId || gameId
+  await query('INSERT IGNORE INTO favorite_topics (user_id, topic_id, created_at) VALUES (?, ?, ?)', [userId, resolvedTopicId, now()])
 }
 
-async function unfavoriteGame({ userId, gameId }) {
-  await query('DELETE FROM favorite_topics WHERE user_id = ? AND topic_id = ?', [userId, gameId])
+async function unfavoriteTopic({ userId, topicId, gameId = topicId }) {
+  const resolvedTopicId = topicId || gameId
+  await query('DELETE FROM favorite_topics WHERE user_id = ? AND topic_id = ?', [userId, resolvedTopicId])
 }
 
+const favoriteGame = favoriteTopic
+const unfavoriteGame = unfavoriteTopic
+
 module.exports = {
   DB_NAME,
   ensureData,
@@ -2533,6 +2555,14 @@ module.exports = {
   adminUpdateUser,
   adminUpdateUserPassword,
   adminDeleteUser,
+  listTopics,
+  findTopicById,
+  listTopicItems,
+  findTopicItemById,
+  getTopicDetail,
+  createTopic,
+  updateTopicThumbnail,
+  updateTopicVisibility,
   listGames,
   findGameById,
   listGameItems,
@@ -2557,6 +2587,13 @@ module.exports = {
   clearImageOptimizationJobs,
   getImageAssetStats,
   cleanupMissingUploadReferences,
+  createTopicItem,
+  updateTopicItemLabel,
+  updateTopicItemDisplayOrder,
+  countTierListsUsingTopicItem,
+  deleteTopicItem,
+  deleteTopic,
+  updateTopicDisplayOrder,
   createGameItem,
   updateGameItemLabel,
   updateGameItemDisplayOrder,
@@ -2577,6 +2614,8 @@ module.exports = {
   summarizeAdminTierLists,
   findTierListById,
   updateAdminTierListMeta,
+  favoriteTopic,
+  unfavoriteTopic,
   favoriteTierList,
   unfavoriteTierList,
   favoriteGame,
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/admin.js b/backend/src/routes/admin.js
index 892b0a3..0315f1d 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/admin.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/admin.js
@@ -7,24 +7,24 @@ const { z } = require('zod')
 const { nanoid } = require('nanoid')
 const {
   findUserById,
-  findGameById,
-  findGameItemById,
-  listGameItems,
+  findTopicById,
+  findTopicItemById,
+  listTopicItems,
   findImageAssetById,
-  createGame,
-  listGames,
-  updateGameThumbnail,
-  updateGameVisibility,
-  createGameItem,
-  updateGameItemLabel,
-  updateGameItemDisplayOrder,
-  countTierListsUsingGameItem,
+  createTopic,
+  listTopics,
+  updateTopicThumbnail,
+  updateTopicVisibility,
+  createTopicItem,
+  updateTopicItemLabel,
+  updateTopicItemDisplayOrder,
+  countTierListsUsingTopicItem,
   updateCustomItemLabel,
   updateImageAssetLabel,
-  deleteGameItem,
-  deleteGame,
+  deleteTopicItem,
+  deleteTopic,
   deleteTierList,
-  updateGameDisplayOrder,
+  updateTopicDisplayOrder,
   listCustomItems,
   findCustomItemById,
   findUnusedCustomItems,
@@ -124,15 +124,15 @@ router.post(['/games', '/templates'], requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
   })
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
-  const exists = await findGameById(parsed.data.id)
+  const exists = await findTopicById(parsed.data.id)
   if (exists) return res.status(409).json({ error: 'game_id_taken' })
-  const game = await createGame({ id: parsed.data.id, name: parsed.data.name, isPublic: parsed.data.isPublic })
+  const template = await createTopic({ id: parsed.data.id, name: parsed.data.name, isPublic: parsed.data.isPublic })
   if (parsed.data.thumbnailSrc) {
     const copiedThumb = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(parsed.data.thumbnailSrc)
-    await updateGameThumbnail(game.id, copiedThumb)
+    await updateTopicThumbnail(template.id, copiedThumb)
   }
-  const template = await findGameById(game.id)
-  res.json({ game: template, template })
+  const savedTemplate = await findTopicById(template.id)
+  res.json({ game: savedTemplate, template: savedTemplate })
 })
 
 router.patch(['/games/:gameId', '/templates/:templateId'], requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
@@ -143,10 +143,10 @@ router.patch(['/games/:gameId', '/templates/:templateId'], requireAdmin, async (
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
   const templateId = getTemplateIdParam(req)
-  const game = await findGameById(templateId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(templateId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const updated = await updateGameVisibility(game.id, parsed.data.isPublic)
+  const updated = await updateTopicVisibility(template.id, parsed.data.isPublic)
   res.json({ game: updated, template: updated })
 })
 
@@ -157,10 +157,10 @@ router.patch(['/games/display-order', '/templates/display-order'], requireAdmin,
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const games = await listGames('', { includePrivate: true })
-  const validGameIds = new Set(games.map((game) => game.id))
+  const templates = await listTopics('', { includePrivate: true })
+  const validGameIds = new Set(templates.map((template) => template.id))
   const filteredIds = parsed.data.gameIds.filter((gameId) => validGameIds.has(gameId))
-  const updatedGames = await updateGameDisplayOrder(filteredIds)
+  const updatedGames = await updateTopicDisplayOrder(filteredIds)
   res.json({ games: updatedGames, templates: updatedGames })
 })
 
@@ -172,18 +172,18 @@ router.patch(['/games/:gameId/items/display-order', '/templates/:templateId/item
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
   const templateId = getTemplateIdParam(req)
-  const game = await findGameById(templateId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(templateId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const items = await updateGameItemDisplayOrder(game.id, parsed.data.itemIds)
+  const items = await updateTopicItemDisplayOrder(template.id, parsed.data.itemIds)
   res.json({ items })
 })
 
 router.post(['/games/:gameId/thumbnail', '/templates/:templateId/thumbnail'], requireAdmin, upload.single('thumbnail'), async (req, res) => {
   if (!req.file) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'file_required' })
   const templateId = getTemplateIdParam(req)
-  const game = await findGameById(templateId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(templateId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
   const optimized = await writeOptimizedImage({
     file: req.file,
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ router.post(['/games/:gameId/thumbnail', '/templates/:templateId/thumbnail'], re
     quality: 84,
   })
 
-  const updated = await updateGameThumbnail(templateId, optimized.src)
+  const updated = await updateTopicThumbnail(templateId, optimized.src)
   res.json({ game: updated, template: updated })
 })
 
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ router.post(['/games/:gameId/images', '/templates/:templateId/images'], requireA
   const files = Array.isArray(req.files) ? req.files : []
   if (!files.length) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'file_required' })
   const templateId = getTemplateIdParam(req)
-  const game = await findGameById(templateId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(templateId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
   const labelsRaw = req.body?.labels
   const labels = Array.isArray(labelsRaw) ? labelsRaw : labelsRaw ? [labelsRaw] : []
@@ -221,9 +221,9 @@ router.post(['/games/:gameId/images', '/templates/:templateId/images'], requireA
         quality: 84,
       })
 
-      return createGameItem({
+      return createTopicItem({
         id: nanoid(),
-        gameId: game.id,
+        topicId: template.id,
         src: optimized.src,
         label: normalizedLabels[index] || buildItemLabelFromFilename(file),
       })
@@ -234,18 +234,18 @@ router.post(['/games/:gameId/images', '/templates/:templateId/images'], requireA
 })
 
 router.delete(['/games/:gameId/items/:itemId', '/templates/:templateId/items/:itemId'], requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
-  const game = await findGameById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  await deleteGameItem(req.params.itemId)
+  const template = await findTopicById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  await deleteTopicItem(req.params.itemId)
   res.json({ ok: true })
 })
 
 router.get(['/games/:gameId/items/:itemId/usage', '/templates/:templateId/items/:itemId/usage'], requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
-  const game = await findGameById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  const item = await findGameItemById(req.params.itemId)
-  if (!item || item.gameId !== game.id) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  const usage = await countTierListsUsingGameItem(req.params.itemId)
+  const template = await findTopicById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const item = await findTopicItemById(req.params.itemId)
+  if (!item || item.gameId !== template.id) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const usage = await countTierListsUsingTopicItem(req.params.itemId)
   res.json({ usage })
 })
 
@@ -254,19 +254,19 @@ router.patch(['/games/:gameId/items/:itemId', '/templates/:templateId/items/:ite
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const game = await findGameById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(getTemplateIdParam(req))
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const updated = await updateGameItemLabel(req.params.itemId, parsed.data.label)
-  if (!updated || updated.gameId !== game.id) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  const updated = await updateTopicItemLabel(req.params.itemId, parsed.data.label)
+  if (!updated || updated.gameId !== template.id) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
   res.json({ item: updated })
 })
 
 router.delete(['/games/:gameId', '/templates/:templateId'], requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
   const templateId = getTemplateIdParam(req)
-  const game = await findGameById(templateId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  await deleteGame(templateId)
+  const template = await findTopicById(templateId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  await deleteTopic(templateId)
   res.json({ ok: true })
 })
 
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ router.patch('/custom-items/:itemId/label', requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
   }
 
   if (parsed.data.sourceType === 'template') {
-    const updated = await updateGameItemLabel(itemId, parsed.data.label)
+    const updated = await updateTopicItemLabel(itemId, parsed.data.label)
     if (!updated) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
     return res.json({ item: updated })
   }
@@ -464,10 +464,10 @@ async function removeCustomItemFiles(items) {
   )
 }
 
-async function promoteLibraryItemToGameItem({ item, gameId }) {
-  return createGameItem({
+async function promoteLibraryItemToTemplateItem({ item, templateId }) {
+  return createTopicItem({
     id: nanoid(),
-    gameId,
+    topicId: templateId,
     src: item.src || '',
     label: item.label,
   })
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ function uniqueTierListPoolItems(tierList) {
   })
 }
 
-async function promoteTierListItemsToGame({ tierList, gameId, itemIds = [] }) {
+async function promoteTierListItemsToTemplate({ tierList, templateId, itemIds = [] }) {
   const allowedIds = new Set((itemIds || []).filter(Boolean))
   const sourceItems = uniqueTierListPoolItems(tierList).filter((item) => item.origin === 'custom')
   const itemsToCopy = allowedIds.size ? sourceItems.filter((item) => allowedIds.has(item.id)) : sourceItems
@@ -513,9 +513,9 @@ async function promoteTierListItemsToGame({ tierList, gameId, itemIds = [] }) {
   for (const item of itemsToCopy) {
     const copiedSrc = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(item.src)
     createdItems.push(
-      await createGameItem({
+      await createTopicItem({
         id: nanoid(),
-        gameId,
+        topicId: templateId,
         src: copiedSrc,
         label: item.label,
       })
@@ -525,8 +525,8 @@ async function promoteTierListItemsToGame({ tierList, gameId, itemIds = [] }) {
   return createdItems
 }
 
-async function promoteSnapshotItemsToGame({ items, gameId }) {
-  const existingItems = await listGameItems(gameId)
+async function promoteSnapshotItemsToTemplate({ items, templateId }) {
+  const existingItems = await listTopicItems(templateId)
   const existingSrcs = new Set(
     existingItems
       .map((item) => (typeof item?.src === 'string' ? item.src.trim() : ''))
@@ -538,9 +538,9 @@ async function promoteSnapshotItemsToGame({ items, gameId }) {
     const copiedSrc = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(item.src)
     if (!copiedSrc || existingSrcs.has(copiedSrc)) continue
     createdItems.push(
-      await createGameItem({
+      await createTopicItem({
         id: nanoid(),
-        gameId,
+        topicId: templateId,
         src: copiedSrc,
         label: item.label,
       })
@@ -577,43 +577,43 @@ function pickTemplateRequestItems(templateRequest, itemIds = [], itemLabels = {}
     })
 }
 
-async function createGameTemplateFromTierList({ tierList, gameId, gameName }) {
-  await createGame({ id: gameId, name: gameName, isPublic: false })
+async function createTemplateFromTierList({ tierList, templateId, templateName }) {
+  await createTopic({ id: templateId, name: templateName, isPublic: false })
   if (tierList.thumbnailSrc) {
     const copiedThumb = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(tierList.thumbnailSrc)
-    await updateGameThumbnail(gameId, copiedThumb)
+    await updateTopicThumbnail(templateId, copiedThumb)
   }
 
   const createdItems = []
   for (const item of uniqueTierListPoolItems(tierList)) {
     const copiedSrc = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(item.src)
     createdItems.push(
-      await createGameItem({
+      await createTopicItem({
         id: nanoid(),
-        gameId,
+        topicId: templateId,
         src: copiedSrc,
         label: item.label,
       })
     )
   }
 
-  return { game: await findGameById(gameId), items: createdItems }
+  return { game: await findTopicById(templateId), items: createdItems }
 }
 
-async function createGameTemplateFromRequest({ templateRequest, gameId, gameName }) {
-  await createGame({ id: gameId, name: gameName, isPublic: false })
+async function createTemplateFromRequest({ templateRequest, templateId, templateName }) {
+  await createTopic({ id: templateId, name: templateName, isPublic: false })
 
   if (templateRequest.thumbnailSrc) {
     const copiedThumb = await copyUploadIntoGameAsset(templateRequest.thumbnailSrc)
-    await updateGameThumbnail(gameId, copiedThumb)
+    await updateTopicThumbnail(templateId, copiedThumb)
   }
 
-  const items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToGame({
+  const items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToTemplate({
     items: templateRequest.items || [],
-    gameId,
+    templateId,
   })
 
-  return { game: await findGameById(gameId), items }
+  return { game: await findTopicById(templateId), items }
 }
 
 router.delete('/custom-items/:itemId', requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ router.delete('/custom-items/:itemId', requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
       return res.json({ ok: true, sourceType: 'template-asset' })
     }
 
-    await deleteGameItem(target.id)
+    await deleteTopicItem(target.id)
     return res.json({ ok: true, sourceType: 'template' })
   }
 
@@ -651,16 +651,16 @@ router.post('/custom-items/:itemId/promote', requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const game = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
 
   const customItem = await findCustomItemById(req.params.itemId)
-  const gameItem = customItem ? null : await findGameItemById(req.params.itemId)
+  const templateItem = customItem ? null : await findTopicItemById(req.params.itemId)
   const assetItemId = String(req.params.itemId || '')
-  const imageAsset = !customItem && !gameItem && assetItemId.startsWith('asset:') ? await findImageAssetById(assetItemId.slice(6)) : null
+  const imageAsset = !customItem && !templateItem && assetItemId.startsWith('asset:') ? await findImageAssetById(assetItemId.slice(6)) : null
   const sourceItem =
     customItem ||
-    gameItem ||
+    templateItem ||
     (imageAsset
       ? {
           src: imageAsset.src || '',
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ router.post('/custom-items/:itemId/promote', requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
       : null)
   if (!sourceItem) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const item = await promoteLibraryItemToGameItem({ item: sourceItem, gameId: game.id })
+  const item = await promoteLibraryItemToTemplateItem({ item: sourceItem, templateId: template.id })
   res.json({ item })
 })
 
@@ -681,15 +681,15 @@ router.post('/tierlists/:tierListId/promote-items', requireAdmin, async (req, re
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const game = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
 
   const tierList = await findTierListById(req.params.tierListId)
   if (!tierList) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const items = await promoteTierListItemsToGame({
+  const items = await promoteTierListItemsToTemplate({
     tierList,
-    gameId: game.id,
+    templateId: template.id,
     itemIds: parsed.data.itemIds,
   })
   res.json({ items })
@@ -704,19 +704,19 @@ router.post('/tierlists/:tierListId/create-game-template', requireAdmin, async (
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const exists = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  const exists = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
   if (exists) return res.status(409).json({ error: 'game_id_taken' })
 
   const tierList = await findTierListById(req.params.tierListId)
   if (!tierList) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
 
-  const result = await createGameTemplateFromTierList({
+  const result = await createTemplateFromTierList({
     tierList: {
       ...tierList,
       pool: parsed.data.itemIds.length ? (tierList.pool || []).filter((item) => parsed.data.itemIds.includes(item.id)) : tierList.pool,
     },
-    gameId: parsed.data.gameId,
-    gameName: parsed.data.name,
+    templateId: parsed.data.gameId,
+    templateName: parsed.data.name,
   })
   res.json(result)
 })
@@ -756,12 +756,12 @@ router.post('/template-requests/:requestId/approve', requireAdmin, async (req, r
 
   if (templateRequest.type === 'update') {
     const targetGameId = templateRequest.targetGameId || templateRequest.sourceGameId
-    const game = await findGameById(targetGameId)
-    if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
+    const template = await findTopicById(targetGameId)
+    if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
 
-    const items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToGame({
+    const items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToTemplate({
       items: templateRequest.items || [],
-      gameId: game.id,
+      templateId: template.id,
     })
     const request = await updateTemplateRequestStatus({ id: templateRequest.id, status: 'approved' })
     return res.json({ request, items })
@@ -774,13 +774,13 @@ router.post('/template-requests/:requestId/approve', requireAdmin, async (req, r
   const parsed = schema.safeParse(req.body)
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'bad_request' })
 
-  const exists = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  const exists = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
   if (exists) return res.status(409).json({ error: 'game_id_taken' })
 
-  const result = await createGameTemplateFromRequest({
+  const result = await createTemplateFromRequest({
     templateRequest,
-    gameId: parsed.data.gameId,
-    gameName: parsed.data.name,
+    templateId: parsed.data.gameId,
+    templateName: parsed.data.name,
   })
   const request = await updateTemplateRequestStatus({ id: templateRequest.id, status: 'approved' })
   res.json({ request, ...result })
@@ -822,12 +822,12 @@ router.post('/template-requests/:requestId/link-game', requireAdmin, async (req,
     return res.status(409).json({ error: 'request_already_handled' })
   }
 
-  const game = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
 
   const request = await updateTemplateRequestTargetGame({
     id: templateRequest.id,
-    targetGameId: game.id,
+    targetGameId: template.id,
   })
   res.json({ request })
 })
@@ -848,8 +848,8 @@ router.post('/template-requests/:requestId/promote-items', requireAdmin, async (
     return res.status(409).json({ error: 'request_already_handled' })
   }
 
-  const game = await findGameById(parsed.data.gameId)
-  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
+  const template = await findTopicById(parsed.data.gameId)
+  if (!template) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game_not_found' })
 
   const promotableItems = pickTemplateRequestItems(templateRequest, parsed.data.itemIds, parsed.data.itemLabels, parsed.data.itemSrcs)
   if (!promotableItems.length) {
@@ -858,14 +858,14 @@ router.post('/template-requests/:requestId/promote-items', requireAdmin, async (
 
   let items = []
   try {
-    items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToGame({
+    items = await promoteSnapshotItemsToTemplate({
       items: promotableItems,
-      gameId: game.id,
+      templateId: template.id,
     })
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('[admin] template request promote-items failed', {
       requestId: templateRequest.id,
-      gameId: game.id,
+      gameId: template.id,
       itemCount: promotableItems.length,
       message: error?.message || 'unknown_error',
       code: error?.code || '',
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/games.js b/backend/src/routes/games.js
index 95a58e2..a5ba70d 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/games.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/games.js
@@ -1,37 +1,37 @@
 const express = require('express')
-const { listGames, getGameDetail, findGameById, favoriteGame, unfavoriteGame } = require('../db')
+const { listTopics, getTopicDetail, findTopicById, favoriteTopic, unfavoriteTopic } = require('../db')
 const { requireAuth } = require('../middleware/auth')
 
 const router = express.Router()
 
 router.get('/', async (req, res) => {
-  const games = await listGames(req.session?.userId || '', { includePrivate: !!req.session?.isAdmin })
-  res.json({ games, topics: games })
+  const topics = await listTopics(req.session?.userId || '', { includePrivate: !!req.session?.isAdmin })
+  res.json({ games: topics, topics })
 })
 
 router.post('/:gameId/favorite', requireAuth, async (req, res) => {
-  const game = await findGameById(req.params.gameId)
-  if (!game || game.id === 'freeform') return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  await favoriteGame({ userId: req.session.userId, gameId: game.id })
-  const games = await listGames(req.session.userId)
-  const updated = games.find((entry) => entry.id === game.id) || { ...game, isFavorited: true }
+  const topic = await findTopicById(req.params.gameId)
+  if (!topic || topic.id === 'freeform') return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  await favoriteTopic({ userId: req.session.userId, topicId: topic.id })
+  const topics = await listTopics(req.session.userId)
+  const updated = topics.find((entry) => entry.id === topic.id) || { ...topic, isFavorited: true }
   res.json({ game: updated, topic: updated })
 })
 
 router.delete('/:gameId/favorite', requireAuth, async (req, res) => {
-  const game = await findGameById(req.params.gameId)
-  if (!game || game.id === 'freeform') return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  await unfavoriteGame({ userId: req.session.userId, gameId: game.id })
-  const games = await listGames(req.session.userId)
-  const updated = games.find((entry) => entry.id === game.id) || { ...game, isFavorited: false }
+  const topic = await findTopicById(req.params.gameId)
+  if (!topic || topic.id === 'freeform') return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  await unfavoriteTopic({ userId: req.session.userId, topicId: topic.id })
+  const topics = await listTopics(req.session.userId)
+  const updated = topics.find((entry) => entry.id === topic.id) || { ...topic, isFavorited: false }
   res.json({ game: updated, topic: updated })
 })
 
 router.get('/:gameId', async (req, res) => {
-  const detail = await getGameDetail(req.params.gameId)
+  const detail = await getTopicDetail(req.params.gameId)
   if (!detail) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  if (!detail.game.isPublic && !req.session?.isAdmin) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
-  res.json({ game: detail.game, topic: detail.game, items: detail.items })
+  if (!detail.topic.isPublic && !req.session?.isAdmin) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not_found' })
+  res.json({ game: detail.topic, topic: detail.topic, items: detail.items })
 })
 
 module.exports = router
diff --git a/docs/history.md b/docs/history.md
index 42d0efd..088678c 100644
--- a/docs/history.md
+++ b/docs/history.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # 의사결정 이력
 
+## 2026-04-02 v1.4.20
+- 스키마만 `topic`으로 옮기고 함수명/라우트 내부가 계속 `game`으로 남아 있으면 이후 유지보수에서 계속 의미 충돌이 생기므로, 이번 단계부터는 백엔드 export와 주요 라우트 내부 이름도 `topic/template`를 기본으로 읽히게 정리하는 편이 맞다고 판단했다.
+- 다만 외부 API와 프런트 호환을 한 번에 끊는 건 위험하므로, 실제 구현은 새 `topic` 이름을 기본으로 쓰되 기존 `game` 이름은 alias와 호환 응답으로 잠시 유지하는 점진 전환이 가장 안전하다고 정리했다.
+
 ## 2026-04-02 v1.4.19
 - 템플릿 기본 아이템 삭제가 과거에 저장된 티어표까지 바꿔 버리면 운영자 편집 의도보다 사용자 결과물 보존이 더 크게 흔들리므로, 이 삭제는 “앞으로의 템플릿 구성만 바꾸고 기존 저장본은 보존”하는 편이 맞다고 판단했다.
 - 다만 이미 여러 티어표에서 쓰인 아이템인지 모른 채 지우게 두는 것도 위험하므로, 삭제 자체를 막기보다는 저장된 티어표 사용 개수와 공개/비공개 범위를 먼저 보여주고 운영자가 맥락을 알고 결정하게 하는 쪽이 더 현실적이라고 정리했다.
diff --git a/docs/todo.md b/docs/todo.md
index e7b784d..438477f 100644
--- a/docs/todo.md
+++ b/docs/todo.md
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 # 할 일 및 이슈
 
 ## 단기 확인
+- `v1.4.20`에서 백엔드 `db` export와 공개/관리자 라우트 내부 이름을 `topic/template` 기준으로 정리했으므로, 실제 브라우저와 관리자 화면에서 주제 목록/즐겨찾기/템플릿 생성/요청 반영 흐름이 모두 정상인지 한 번 더 QA한다.
+- 다음 단계에서는 남아 있는 호환 응답 키 `game`, `gameId`, `gameName`과 레거시 route 파일명 `games.js`를 어디까지 실제 `topic` 이름으로 마감할지 범위를 결정한다.
 - `v1.4.19`에서 템플릿 기본 아이템 삭제는 기존 저장 티어표를 보존하도록 정책이 바뀌었으므로, 실제 운영 데이터에서 삭제 후 예전 티어표의 배치/대기풀이 그대로 유지되는지와 새 티어표 생성 시에만 아이템이 빠지는지 한 번 더 QA한다.
 - `v1.4.19`에서 삭제 전 영향 개수 경고를 붙였으므로, 공개/비공개 티어표가 섞인 템플릿에서 숫자가 기대대로 보이는지와 삭제 취소/확정 후 스크롤 위치가 안정적으로 유지되는지 한 번 더 QA한다.
 - `v1.4.19`에서 템플릿 썸네일 등록 아이콘은 썸네일이 있을 때 숨기도록 정리했으므로, 썸네일 있음/없음 상태 전환과 드래그 오버 활성 상태에서 안내 문구가 겹치지 않는지 한 번 더 QA한다.
diff --git a/docs/update.md b/docs/update.md
index f49ae0b..fbb30a3 100644
--- a/docs/update.md
+++ b/docs/update.md
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # 업데이트 로그
 
+## 2026-04-02 v1.4.20
+- 백엔드 `db`와 라우트 내부 이름층을 한 단계 더 `topic` 기준으로 옮겼다. `listTopics / findTopicById / getTopicDetail / createTopic / updateTopicThumbnail / updateTopicVisibility`, `createTopicItem / updateTopicItemLabel / updateTopicItemDisplayOrder / deleteTopicItem / deleteTopic` 같은 이름을 실제 export로 추가하고, 기존 `game` 이름은 호환 alias로만 남겼다.
+- 공개 주제 라우트는 이제 `listTopics`, `getTopicDetail`, `favoriteTopic` 기준으로 동작하고, 백엔드 진입점도 `gamesRoutes` 대신 `topicsRoutes`라는 이름으로 읽히도록 정리했다.
+- 관리자 라우트 역시 핵심 템플릿 흐름에서 `findTopicById`, `createTopic`, `createTopicItem`, `promoteSnapshotItemsToTemplate`, `createTemplateFromTierList` 같은 의미 이름을 직접 사용하도록 바꿔, 실제 저장 스키마와 코드 언어가 더 가까워지게 맞췄다.
+
 ## 2026-04-02 v1.4.19
 - 관리자 템플릿 기본 아이템 삭제는 이제 기존에 저장된 티어표의 그룹/대기풀 데이터를 건드리지 않고, 템플릿의 현재 기본 아이템 목록에서만 제거되도록 바꿨다. 그래서 이미 만들어진 티어표는 그대로 유지되고, 이후 새로 만드는 티어표에서만 해당 아이템이 빠진다.
 - 삭제 전에는 이 아이템이 이미 저장된 티어표 몇 개에서 사용 중인지(공개/비공개 포함) 확인 문구를 먼저 보여주도록 바꿔, 운영자가 영향 범위를 알고 삭제할 수 있게 했다.