Sony has quietly removed one of the PlayStation 5’s key features: the fast-loading capability associated with Activity Cards, which was widely advertised at launch. This is unusual, as we’ve come to expect devices like game consoles to gain new features and improvements over time. Even the conservative Nintendo Switch has seen updates to improve user experience. However, in the case of the PS5, Sony not only introduced new features, like widget screens, but also silently removed a core function.
Not so quick anymore
The feature in question is the Activity Cards, which allowed players to quickly jump into specific game modes or load save files before the game fully launched, bypassing splash screens and main menus. It was a significant selling point for games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and fast loading was highlighted in many early PS5 reviews.
Now, after the latest system update, the “Resume” button, which enabled players to load directly into their last save, has disappeared. While not every game supported this feature, many—especially Sony’s own titles—did, making it a useful tool for fast access to gameplay. Without it, the Activity Cards have lost much of their utility, and quick loading of saves or specific modes is no longer possible. For example, in games like FIFA, players could previously select their career mode save from the console menu and bypass intro screens, saving a minute or more of time. This small but significant convenience is now gone.
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While games still load relatively quickly, the silent removal of this feature may cause frustration for players, as the fast-loading capability was a notable aspect of the PS5’s launch appeal. It also renders earlier reviews of the console somewhat inaccurate, as game loading speeds have effectively become slower.
Just a bug?
Some speculate this could be a bug, as Sony recently added and then quickly removed advertising from the interface, citing it as an error. However, it seems more likely that the feature was removed intentionally, possibly because many developers weren’t fully supporting it. Rather than make it mandatory, Sony may have opted to eliminate the feature altogether. This change could put the PS5 at a disadvantage compared to the Xbox, which still offers the Quick Resume function.