Earlier this week, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer made some comments about Project Scarlett; more specifically about
VR not being the company's focus right now. What probably ticked most people off was the fact that Spencer said they were not focusing on VR because customers don't want it.
Sony's Shuhei Yoshida replied to Spencer's comments saying that they[Sony] "
oftentimes work hard to make things that no customers are asking for them." Yoshida doesn't particularly mention Phil Spencer, or what he said about VR, but it clearly shows his disapproval.
Phil Spencer has now defended his posture, while also adding that he actually has played VR games in the past and doesn't think less of them. On the contrary, he says he's had the chance to play some great games; it just isn't Project Scarlett's focus.
The whole topic about VR being essential to a console really depends on the point of view. Phil Spencer and Microsoft have simply decided not to make it the focus of their next-generation console — which is more than fair, all things considered.
Microsoft has lagged behind when it comes to exclusive titles for the Xbox One, and they having a clear goal for Project Scarlett, one that doesn't include VR, is definitely a good sign; it shows that they have sorted things out without biting off more than they can chew. If Microsoft and Phil Spencer don't feel like VR is where their focus should go, they're in their right to both express their opinion, and not include it in their next-gen console.