Sony Shares PS5 Shutdown Preferences Among Players

Half of PS5 Owners Skip Rest Mode, Opting for Full Shutdown

A surprising statistic reveals that 50% of PlayStation 5 users bypass the console's rest mode, preferring a complete system shutdown instead. This finding, shared by Cory Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of game, product, and player experiences, during an interview with Stephen Totilo, challenges the common assumption of widespread rest mode adoption. Rest mode, a key feature in modern consoles designed for energy efficiency and convenient background downloads, has seemingly been overlooked by a significant portion of the PS5 user base.

This data played a crucial role in the development of the PS5's Welcome Hub, introduced in 2024. Designed to unify the user experience across diverse preferences, the Welcome Hub's creation was directly influenced by the 50/50 split in rest mode usage. For US users, the Explore page is prominently featured, while users outside the US see their most recently played game. This customizable interface aims to provide a more consistent and personalized starting point for all PS5 players.

While no definitive reason explains the preference for shutdown over rest mode, user forum discussions highlight potential contributing factors. Some users report internet connectivity issues linked to rest mode, leading them to keep their consoles fully powered on during downloads. Others, however, report no such problems and utilize rest mode without issue.

Regardless of the underlying reasons, Gasaway's revelation offers valuable insight into the design considerations behind the PS5's user interface, showcasing Sony's efforts to cater to a wide range of player behaviors and preferences. The 50% figure underscores the importance of understanding user habits when developing console features and user experiences.