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, discussing the design philosophy behind the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024.
The Welcome Hub, born from a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this 50/50 split in rest mode usage. Its design aims to create a more unified user experience, regardless of individual preferences. For US users, the Explore page is the default; international users see their most recently played game. This customizable interface offers a consistent starting point across all PS5 consoles.
While no single reason explains the widespread 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. Others experience no such issues and utilize the feature as intended – to conserve energy while enabling background downloads and updates.
Regardless of the underlying reasons, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the design choices behind the PS5's user interface, demonstrating Sony's efforts to cater to a diverse player base with varying habits and technical experiences. The 50% figure underscores the importance of considering diverse user behaviors when developing console features and user interfaces.
