📋 Summary

Add support for custom background music during Big Box’s screensaver mode, allowing users to play music files instead of (or alongside) the audio embedded in screensaver videos. This would give users greater control over the atmosphere of their setup, especially for arcade cabinets or living room displays.

❗ Problem

Currently, Big Box screensavers rely entirely on the audio contained within gameplay videos. This presents a few limitations:

• Users with curated music collections (e.g. 80s arcade music, synthwave, chiptunes) cannot use them during screensaver mode.

• Gameplay video audio can be inconsistent in volume and tone, leading to a less cohesive experience.

• There is no way to reuse the existing platform or global background music configurations during screensavers.

💡 Proposal

Introduce new audio options specifically for Screensaver mode in Big Box:

• Screensaver Audio Source

  • Play audio from screensaver videos (current behavior)

  • Play custom music from a selected music folder

  • Optionally allow music to play alongside video audio

• Music Source Options

  • Use existing platform music folders

  • Use a dedicated Screensaver Music folder

  • Randomize or loop tracks while the screensaver is active

• Optional Gameplay Audio Mixing

  • Allow background music to continue playing softly when launching into a game (where supported)

  • Configurable volume balancing between music and game audio

🧩 Use Cases

• Arcade cabinet setups that want a consistent, themed soundtrack while idle.

• Living room Big Box installs that double as ambient displays when not in use.

• Users who prefer music over raw gameplay audio for long idle periods.

• Events, parties, or public displays where background music is more appropriate than game sound effects.

📦 Benefits

• Creates a more polished and customizable idle experience.

• Leverages existing music libraries users have already curated.

• Improves consistency and atmosphere during screensaver mode.

• Adds flexibility without removing the current video-audio behavior.

💡 Notes

• This could reuse much of the existing background music infrastructure already present in Big Box.

• Audio behavior should be fully optional and configurable to preserve current workflows.

• Particularly valuable for users running Big Box as a shell or always-on display.