Half of PS5 owners skip rest mode, opting for a full system shutdown instead. This surprising statistic influenced the design of the PS5's Welcome Hub, aiming for a unified user experience despite diverse preferences. The reasons behind this rest mode avoidance remain varied.
In a recent interview with Stephen Totilo, Cory Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of game, product, and player experiences, revealed that a significant 50% of PlayStation 5 users bypass the console's rest mode. Rest mode, a key feature in modern consoles, allows for low-power operation while maintaining certain functions like downloads. The PS5's rest mode is designed to facilitate convenient downloads and continued gameplay.
Rest mode's importance within the PlayStation ecosystem is well-established. Jim Ryan highlighted its environmental benefits prior to the PS5's launch, aligning with Sony's sustainability goals. Despite its energy-saving advantages over previous generations, a substantial portion of users avoid it.
As reported by IGN, Gasaway's interview with Game File revealed the equal split between users who fully shut down their PS5 versus those utilizing rest mode. This data informed the development of the PS5's Welcome Hub (introduced in 2024), as detailed in Totilo's article. A small team, during a PlayStation hackathon, created the Welcome Hub to address the varied user behaviors. Gasaway noted that 50% of US users see the PS5 Explore page upon startup, while others see their most recently played game. The Hub aims to create a more consistent and customizable starting experience.
The reasons for choosing between rest mode and full shutdown remain unclear. While rest mode conserves energy and allows background tasks, some users report internet connectivity issues, preferring to leave the console fully on for downloads. Others experience no such problems. Gasaway's insights, however, shed light on the considerations behind the PS5's user interface design.
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