It makes me wonder if the companies behind that online game and auction site were "sold" Wordpress by a developer/designer as a way they could easily update their website. Perhaps whoever pitched Wordpress as a solution in those cases didn't have the knowledge to build a fully functional website from the ground up without Wordpress.
As a fellow PHP developer, I can say I share the heart sinking feeling when I see "functions.php".
As a fellow PHP developer, I can say I share the heart sinking feeling when I see "functions.php".