Half of PS5 owners 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 Hub aims to create a unified user experience despite diverse player preferences.
Gasaway, in an interview with Stephen Totilo, confirmed 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 decision, according to Gasaway, influenced the design of the Welcome Hub, a feature introduced in 2024.
The Welcome Hub, initially conceived during a PlayStation hackathon, addresses the varied user behaviors. For instance, 50% of US-based users see the PS5 Explore page upon startup, while others see their most recently played game. This personalized approach aims to provide a consistent and customizable starting point.
Reasons for avoiding rest mode remain unclear. While energy saving is a key benefit, some users report internet connectivity issues when rest mode is enabled, preferring to keep their consoles fully powered on for downloads. Others appear to have no such problems. Regardless, Gasaway's insights highlight the complexities of UI design and the importance of catering to diverse user habits. The data underscores the need for flexible and adaptable interfaces in modern gaming consoles.