Half of PlayStation 5 users bypass rest mode, opting for a complete system shutdown instead, according to Sony. This surprising statistic, revealed by Cory Gasaway, Vice President of Game, Product, and Player Experiences at Sony Interactive Entertainment, highlights a significant user preference divergence. The revelation emerged during an interview with Stephen Totilo, focusing on the design philosophy behind the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024.
The Welcome Hub, a project born from a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this 50/50 split in rest mode usage. Its design aims to create a unified user experience despite varying preferences. For US users, the Explore page is prominently featured, while international users see their most recently played game. This customizable interface seeks to provide a consistent and personalized starting point for all PS5 owners.
While no single reason definitively explains the avoidance of rest mode, anecdotal evidence suggests potential issues. Some users report internet connectivity problems when rest mode is enabled, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads and updates. Others, however, experience no such issues and utilize the energy-saving feature.
Regardless of the underlying reasons, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the design considerations behind the PS5's user interface, demonstrating Sony's efforts to accommodate diverse user behaviors. The 50% figure underscores the importance of understanding and catering to a broad spectrum of player preferences in console design.