PlayStation Owners Prefer Rest Mode Over Shutting Down Consoles

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 finding influenced the design of the PS5's Welcome Hub, a feature introduced in 2024 to create a more unified user experience despite varying preferences.

Gasaway, in an interview with Stephen Totilo, stated that a 50/50 split exists between users who power down their PS5 completely and those who utilize rest mode. While rest mode was touted pre-launch by Jim Ryan as an environmentally conscious feature, reducing energy consumption compared to the PS4, its adoption rate remains unexpectedly low.

The Welcome Hub, initially conceived during a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this preference split. The Hub's design aims to provide a consistent starting point for all PS5 users, regardless of their rest mode usage. In the US, 50% of users see the PS5 Explore page upon startup; internationally, users are directed to their most recently played game. This customizable interface seeks to create a more cohesive experience.

Reasons for avoiding rest mode are varied and anecdotal. Some users report internet connectivity issues while in rest mode, preferring to keep their console fully powered on for downloads. Others appear to have no such problems and utilize the feature without issue. The lack of a single dominant reason underscores the complexity of user behavior and its impact on console UI design. Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the decision-making behind the PS5's user interface.

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