Creating Controller Input Media Packs for Big Box

Written By Brian Faeran

Last updated 10 months ago

For many years, the default theme for Big Box displayed a small list of controller-specific navigation buttons, such as Select, Back, Search, and Game Details, in the bottom-right corner. These buttons dynamically updated to reflect the "Button" mapped under the Controller Mapping options. However, they were theme-specific and only displayed as if using an Xbox-style controller.

With LaunchBox 13.21, these Controller Input buttons have been integrated into the new Media Pack system, allowing users to download Controller Input Graphic Media Packs that better represent the controllers they use in Big Box.

How it Works: Matching Buttons to Input Graphics

When you connect a controller recognized by Windows, you can identify its inputs by following these steps:

  1. Open the Start Menu and type Controllers.

  2. Select Set up USB game controllers, which will open the Game Controllers window.

  3. Locate your controller in the list, select it, and open Properties to view all available buttons and their names as recognized by Windows (e.g., Button 1, Button 2, etc.).

We use these button names to create Controller Input Media Packs. For example, the default pack (LaunchBox\Images\Media Packs\Controller Inputs\Xbox - White) maps the buttons as follows:

Button Name

File Name

A

Button1.png

B

Button2.png

X

Button3.png

Y

Button4.png

LB

Button5.png

RB

Button6.png

SELECT

Button7.png

START

Button8.png

L3 Analog Stick

Button9.png

R3 Analog Stick

Button10.png

Xbox button

Button11.png

D Pad (Directions)

DPad[Direction].png

Analog Stick (Dir.)

Left/RightStick[Dir].png

Left Trigger

TriggerLeft.png

Right Trigger

TriggerRight.png

For D-input controllers, additional buttons may be present but follow similar naming conventions.

Creating Your Custom Media Pack

To create your Controller Input Media Pack:

  1. Match the button names in your controller properties to the corresponding file names in the table above.

  2. Create image files for each button.

  3. Place these files in a folder named after your new pack.

  4. Save the folder to LaunchBox\Images\Media Packs\Controller Inputs

Testing Your Media Pack

To test your custom media pack, follow one of these methods:

  • In LaunchBox:

    • Navigate to Tools > Manage > Theme and Media Manager.

    • Locate your pack and click Apply.

  • In Big Box:

    • Go to System Menu > Options > Images > Controller Inputs.

    • Select your pack from the list.

Verify that all buttons appear correctly when selected, and ensure the pack functions as expected across themes using dynamic controller input code.

Publishing Your Media Pack

Once your pack is ready:

  1. Upload it to the forums under the appropriate section for user feedback.

  2. After testing, visit LaunchBox Media Uploads to upload your pack. Make sure you are logged in to the forums, as your forum username will be listed as the author.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Use a version number like 1.0 (avoid formats like 1.0.1; use 1.01 instead).

  • Include pictures of your pack (refer to default packs for examples).

  • Ensure all necessary information is filled out during the submission process.

Once submitted, the LaunchBox team will review your pack and provide feedback or approve it for public use.