How PS5’s Rest Mode Dominates Shutdown

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, 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 varying preferences, including the significant number of users eschewing rest mode. Gasaway noted a 50/50 split in US users between viewing the PS5 Explore page and their last played game upon startup, showcasing the Hub's efforts to provide a customizable, consistent entry point.

While no single reason explains the widespread avoidance of rest mode, anecdotal evidence suggests potential contributing factors. Some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads. Others simply choose not to use it, highlighting the diversity of user behavior. Regardless of the reasons, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the user-centric design considerations behind the PS5's interface. The 50% figure underscores the importance of catering to diverse user needs and preferences in console design.