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

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 unify user experiences despite varying preferences, particularly concerning rest mode usage. Gasaway noted a 50/50 split in US users between viewing the PS5 Explore page and their last played game upon booting, showcasing the Hub's adaptive nature. This customizable interface seeks to provide a consistent starting point across all PS5 consoles.

While no single reason explains the widespread avoidance of rest mode, user forum discussions suggest potential issues. Some players report interference with internet functionality when rest mode is enabled, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads. Others experience no such problems and utilize the feature as intended – to conserve energy and manage downloads/updates without full system operation.

Regardless of the underlying reasons, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the PS5's user interface design process, demonstrating Sony's awareness of and response to diverse player behaviors. The 50% rest mode abstention rate serves as a compelling data point influencing future console design and feature development.