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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, highlights a significant design challenge addressed by the PS5's Welcome Hub.
Gasaway's interview with Stephen Totilo uncovered that a 50/50 split exists among PS5 users regarding rest mode usage. While rest mode is designed for energy efficiency and convenient background downloads, many players avoid it. This prompted Sony to develop the Welcome Hub, a customizable interface introduced in 2024, aimed at providing a more unified user experience regardless of individual preferences. The Welcome Hub, initially conceived during a PlayStation hackathon, dynamically adapts the initial screen, displaying either the PS5 Explore page (for 50% of US users) or the most recently played game.
Reasons for avoiding rest mode remain varied and anecdotal. Some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring to keep their consoles fully powered on for downloads. Others simply choose not to use it, demonstrating a preference for a complete shutdown. Regardless of the reason, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the PS5's user interface design philosophy, showcasing Sony's efforts to accommodate diverse user behaviors. The 50% rest mode avoidance rate underscores the importance of considering diverse user preferences in console design.
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