Phil Spencer: VR not a focus for Project Scarlett because Xbox fans aren't asking for it Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Phil Spencer: VR not a focus for Project Scarlett because Xbox fans aren't asking for it "I have some issues with VR…" News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 26 Nov 2019 239 comments VR will not play a significant role on Project Scarlett, the boss of Xbox has indicated. Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Stevivor in a recent interview that Xbox customers simply are not asking for VR. But it also sounds like Spencer doesn't fancy VR himself, either. "I have some issues with VR," he said. "It's isolating and I think of games as a communal, kind of together experience. We're responding to what our customers are asking for and... nobody's asking for VR. "The vast majority of our customers know if they want a VR experience, there's places to go get those. We see the volumes of those on PC and other places." Spencer also admitted there's not much money to be made from VR. "Nobody's selling millions and millions" of VR units, he said. "I think we might get there [eventually]. But yeah, that's not where our focus is." Microsoft has dipped its toe in VR, with Halo Recruit for Windows Mixed Reality. Microsoft's view of VR is in stark contrast to that of its console rival, Sony, which has gone big on the tech with its own headset and a raft of exclusive VR titles. As of 3rd March 2019, PSVR had sold more than 4.2m units - an attach rate of about four per cent. Sony is expected to once again beat the VR drum when PlayStation 5 comes out in time for Christmas 2020. But it's clear Microsoft won't challenge the company's efforts here with its own VR offering for the next Xbox. Watch on YouTube While VR is established now with a number of headsets from the likes of Valve, Oculus and Sony, it has yet to hit the mainstream. But VR could be set for its first mega-hit with the release of VR exclusive Half-Life: Alyx, a significant new entry in Valve's Half-Life series due out 2020. Half-Life: Alyx was a VR game, before it was even a Half-Life game. As Valve's Robin Walker explained to Geoff Keighley in a recent video interview, the project began as an attempt to answer a question frequently asked by consumers following the release of Vive: "Where's the big VR title?." This, Valve realised, was something it was better placed than most to tackle given its resources. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store