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, VP 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, born from a PlayStation hackathon, aimed to create a unified user experience despite varied preferences, including the significant number of players foregoing rest mode. Gasaway noted a 50/50 split between US users seeing the PS5 Explore page versus their last played game, demonstrating the hub's adaptive nature. The customizable interface seeks to provide a consistent starting point for all PS5 users.
While the reasons behind avoiding rest mode remain varied and anecdotal, some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads. Others appear content with the feature's energy-saving benefits. This data, however, sheds light on the considerations behind the PS5's user interface design, emphasizing the importance of accommodating diverse user behaviors. The 50% figure underscores the need for flexible design choices catering to a broad spectrum of player habits.
