FAQ: Big Box Themes and Where They Apply

[AstroBob]

 Big Box offers a wide variety of themes that can drastically transform every aspect of your gaming experience, from sleek modern designs to nostalgic retro aesthetics. However, one question we frequently receive from the community is:

“I’ve just changed my Big Box theme, but it doesn’t look like it’s applied properly. What gives?”

This is a common misconception. To answer it, we need to take a step back and explore how Big Box’s theming system works.

⚠️ Please note, this is not a FAQ for theme developers. This is to help new users answer some common questions about how themes work. ⚠️

 

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Understanding Big Box “Sections”
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Big Box’s interface is built around what we call “Sections”, and each one can be themed. These sections define specific areas of the Big Box interface that you can navigate to via the System menu. Here are some examples of common sections:

 

 

The Game Discovery Center:
An interactive hub that curates playlists, themes, and recommendations, helping you explore and rediscover hidden gems in your library.

 

Platforms:
A list of the Platforms you have in your library (e.g., Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo).

 

Platform Categories:
A combined, modular view showcasing a tiered-style list of platforms, categories, and playlists.

 

Filters:
A text-based list of different metadata filters, like Genres, Developers, Publishers, and more.

 

Games:
A set of views that will list games.

 

System Menu and Options:
The section for managing Big Box options and preferences.

 

While all of these sections are technically themeable, it’s important to understand that:

“ Just because everything can be themed doesn’t mean that every theme includes theming for all sections.”

 

 

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Why Some Sections May Not Be Themed
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Many custom themes focus on specific sections, like the Platform and Game sections, as these are the most commonly used and visually impactful. However, other sections, such as the Game Discovery Center or System sections, are often left out of custom themes. Here’s why:

 

Game Discovery Center:
As a newer feature, many custom themes haven’t yet implemented styling for this view. This can lead to confusion for users, especially since the Game Discovery Center is often the default landing page in Big Box. Applying a custom theme therefore may not result in visible changes to this section, which is perfectly normal.

🚨 Important 🚨
If you prefer Big Box to load to another view that does support theming, you can go to `Options > Views > Default Startup View` and select a different section to use.

System Settings:
This section is frequently omitted from custom themes, as many creators prioritize the core game navigation section instead of settings.

In these cases:

"When a section hasn’t been explicitly themed, Big Box automatically falls back to the default theme."

This fallback behaviour ensures that all sections remain functional and visually cohesive, even if they’re not customized by the theme developer.

 

An example of a theme (BannerBox) that does explicitly theme the System Menu, but not all themes will do this

 

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How to Know Which Sections Are Themed?
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To avoid confusion, here are some tips for understanding which section your chosen theme applies to:

• Check the Developer’s Description: Theme developers often include notes on which section their theme supports. This is the best way to know exactly what to expect.
• Explore the App: After applying a new theme, navigate through the various sections (Platforms, Games, Game Details, etc.) to see where the changes have been applied.
• Understand Default Behavior: Remember, any section not explicitly themed by the developer will default to Big Box’s standard theme.

 

 

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What about Views?
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In Big Box, Views refer to the different ways your games and platforms are displayed within specific sections. Each view provides a unique browsing experience, and some common examples include:

CoverFlow:
A scrollable list of boxes that uses 3D models, allowing you to rotate and admire original box art in all its glory.

Vertical/Horizontal Wheel:
A dynamic, scrollable wheel showcasing game logos or platforms, often accompanied by complementary artwork or media.

Wall View:
A grid-style layout that displays multiple items at once, ideal for browsing large libraries quickly.

Text List:
A minimalistic view showing a simple text list of items, often with smaller box art or logos and additional game details.

 

Much like Big Box sections, not all themes will support every view type. The level of support for views is entirely dependent on the theme developer, and this is often indicated in the theme’s description.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about views and themes:

• Theme Limitations: If a specific view isn’t supported by a theme, it may fall back to the default theme styling. While theme developers can stop a specific view from appearing as an option for users, they sometimes forget to do this.
• Check Descriptions: When selecting a theme, review the developer’s notes to understand which views are fully supported. This will save you time and potential frustration when customizing your experience.

 

 

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Conclusion
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Theming in Big Box is a powerful tool to customize your gaming experience, but understanding how themes apply to specific sections and views is key to avoiding confusion. If you’ve applied a theme and notice some sections, like the Game Discovery Center or System Settings, don’t seem to change, this is likely because those areas weren’t included in the custom theme you’ve applied.

When in doubt, check the theme’s description or explore the app to see which sections are covered. By doing so, you’ll gain a better appreciation for how each theme enhances your experience and can tailor your setup to your liking.