Half of PlayStation 5 users bypass rest mode, opting for a complete system shutdown instead. This surprising statistic, revealed by Sony Interactive Entertainment's Cory Gasaway, prompted the development of the PS5's Welcome Hub. The reasons behind this preference remain varied and inconclusive.

In a recent interview with Stephen Totilo, Gasaway disclosed that a significant 50% of PS5 owners forgo the rest mode functionality. This is noteworthy, considering rest mode's energy-saving benefits and its role in facilitating convenient downloads and game resumption. Sony, emphasizing environmental responsibility, had previously highlighted rest mode as a key PS5 feature.

This even split between users who power down versus those utilizing rest mode was revealed within a broader discussion on the design of the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024. As reported by IGN, the Welcome Hub, a product of a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses the significant portion of users avoiding rest mode. Gasaway explained that the Hub's design aims to create a more unified user experience, offering a consistent starting point regardless of individual preferences. The US launch featured a PS5 Explore page, while users outside the US saw their most recently played game.

The lack of a singular explanation for rest mode avoidance is apparent. While its primary function is energy conservation and background download management, some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring to keep the console fully powered on for downloads. Others, however, experience no such problems. Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the considerations behind the PS5's user interface design.

8.5/10 Rate Now Your comment has not been saved