The only company that has been giving optical for decades says it's not longer needed, because audio via HDMI 2.1 is the future and everybody will have access to that. Now all of a sudden, we need optical or else, I don't remember 360 having an optical out port, neither did OG XBOX.
It's just like Sony says they did not need UHD bluray for games, which they didn't. Now with their Tempest audio chip, they will need an advanced port to harness it and what it brings with HRTF and feedback, so a hardware company which is the pioneer for these things, audio, camera's etc says you don't need optical next gen. Then I'm inclined to believe them, they are trying to synthesize surround off your basic tv speakers via HDMI, they know what they are doing when it comes ports, as they've always been pioneers in giving us the best ports and features that made sense for use on a games' console...