PlayStation Reveals How Many Gamers Turn Off Their PS5 Compared to Putting It in Rest Mode

A surprising statistic reveals that half of PlayStation 5 users bypass the console's rest mode, opting instead for a complete system shutdown. This finding, shared by Cory Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of game, product, and player experiences, during an interview with Stephen Totilo, highlights a significant user preference divergence. The revelation emerged within a broader discussion about 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 Hub defaults to the PS5 Explore page; internationally, it displays the user's most recently played game. This customizable interface seeks to provide a consistent starting point for all PS5 owners.

While no single reason explains the widespread avoidance of rest mode, anecdotal evidence suggests potential contributing factors. Some users report internet connectivity issues while the console is in rest mode, preferring a fully powered-on state for downloads. Others appear to experience no such problems and utilize the energy-saving feature. Regardless of the cause, Gasaway's insights offer valuable perspective on the user-centric design considerations behind the PS5's user interface. The 50% figure underscores the importance of catering to diverse user behaviors in console design.

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