Microsoft holiday commercial features a gaggle of gaming dogs

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Rufus can't physically be with his best doggy friends, but he can play Xbox Series X with them

This year's Microsoft holiday commercial features a dog dreaming about meeting his dog friends in Xbox Series X games and I'm not crying, you are. Check out the commercial above, and read on for more.

The commercial begins with an adorable dog named Rufus, who is trying to get the attention of his human family members. Unfortunately, they're all gaming or otherwise online, with one playing Minecraft, another playing Microsoft Flight Simulator, and yet another playing Halo Infinite on Xbox Series X (hold on a second...how?). Let this be a lesson to all of us - give your dogs ample attention during quarantine or else they'll be sad and that concept is heartbreaking.

Rufus even longingly looks out the window at his doggy neighbor, who is likely not seeing him because of social distancing rules. This is sad as hell! Don't worry, though, as Rufus meets up with his dog friends in his dreams, where they frolic through a dog-themed Minecraft level, fly planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and fetch a grenade for Master Chief in Halo Infinite. They even have a doggy zoom happy hour in Microsoft Teams! 

Holiday commercials always tug on the heartstrings, but when there's a lonely dog involved, you've got my attention. Aside from Rufus' plight, it's interesting to see Microsoft advertising Halo Infinite on the Xbox Series X for a holiday commercial, considering we won't be getting the title until 2021. Well, a dog (and a gamer) can dream. 

Make someone's holiday with our guide on where to buy Xbox Series X. 

Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante

Alyssa Mercante used to be a features writer at GamesRadar and is now a freelance writer and editor. Prior to entering the industry, she got her Masters's degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Newcastle University with a dissertation focusing on contemporary indie games. She spends most of her time playing competitive shooters and in-depth RPGs and was recently on a PAX Panel about the best bars in video games. In her spare time Alyssa rescues cats, practices her Italian, and plays soccer.