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, 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, where Gasaway discussed the design philosophy behind the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024.

The Welcome Hub, a product of a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this 50/50 split in rest mode usage. Its design aims to create a more unified user experience, regardless of individual preferences. For US users, the Hub defaults to the PS5 Explore page; for international users, it displays the most recently played game. This customizable starting point seeks to improve overall console navigation.

While no single reason explains the widespread avoidance of rest mode, anecdotal evidence suggests varying factors. Some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads. Others experience no such problems and utilize the energy-saving feature. Regardless of the underlying causes, Gasaway's insights offer valuable context into the PS5's user interface design considerations. The 50% figure underscores the importance of catering to diverse user behaviors in console development.