Half of PlayStation 5 users skip rest mode, opting for a full system shutdown instead. This surprising statistic, revealed by Sony's Cory Gasaway, prompted the development of the PS5's Welcome Hub. The Hub aims to create a unified user experience despite this significant divergence in console usage habits.

Gasaway, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of game, product, and player experiences, confirmed in a Game File interview (reported by Stephen Totilo) that a 50/50 split exists between users who power down their PS5 completely and those who utilize rest mode. This finding, highlighted by IGN, played a key role in shaping the 2024-introduced Welcome Hub.

The Welcome Hub, initially conceived during a PlayStation hackathon, directly addresses this preference divide. Gasaway noted that US-based users primarily see the PS5 Explore page, while users outside the US see their most recently played game. The Hub offers a customizable, consistent starting point, bridging the gap between varying player preferences.

Reasons for avoiding rest mode remain varied and anecdotal. Some users report internet connectivity issues linked to rest mode, preferring a fully powered-on console for downloads. Others experience no such problems and happily use the energy-saving feature. Regardless, Gasaway's insights shed light on the design considerations behind the PS5's user interface. The even split in rest mode usage underscores the importance of accommodating diverse player behaviors in console design.

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