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

Summary

• Half of all PlayStation 5 users bypass rest mode, preferring to fully shut down their consoles.
• The Welcome Hub's design aims to create a unified user experience despite diverse preferences.
• Reasons for avoiding rest mode are varied and not fully understood.

According to Cory Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's vice president of game, product, and player experiences, a surprising 50% of PlayStation 5 users forgo the console's rest mode feature. Rest mode, a staple of modern consoles, allows for continued background activities like downloads and updates while consuming less energy than a fully powered-on console. The PS5's rest mode is designed to streamline downloads and maintain game sessions, offering convenience and energy efficiency.

Rest mode has long been considered a key part of the PlayStation experience, with Sony emphasizing its environmental benefits even before the PS5's launch. Despite its energy-saving advantages and intended functionality, a significant portion of users choose not to utilize it.

As reported by IGN, based on an interview with Stephen Totilo, Gasaway revealed this even split in user behavior. This data informed the design of the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024. Developed during a PlayStation hackathon, the Welcome Hub addresses the diverse preferences of PS5 users. Gasaway noted that 50% of US users see the PS5 Explore page upon boot-up, while others see their most recently played game. The Welcome Hub aims to provide a consistent and customizable starting point for all PS5 users.

50% of PS5 Players Don't Use Rest Mode

The Welcome Hub's development was directly influenced by the observation that half of PS5 users avoid rest mode. While no single reason explains this preference, it highlights the need for flexible UI design. Some users report internet connectivity issues related to rest mode, preferring to keep their consoles fully powered on for downloads. Others may simply prefer the complete shutdown. Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the design considerations behind the PS5's user interface.