I like the idea to improve your skills in multiplayer programming!
But I'm curious why you want to store the game and player information in a mysql database. Are you planning that every player should directly communicate with the database instead with the server?
Because, if just the server should use the database (and send the information to the clients), i would recommend you to use a local one, so you don't have to start the mysql-service when your game is running.

Regards
TSGames