REUTERS: Paulo Dybala left Gareth Bale out of his Real Madrid starting line-up but had no trouble beating the Welshman’s Manchester City side in a FIFA 20 video game as part of a Combat Corona fundraiser for UNICEF at the weekend.

Juventus striker Dybala only recently recovered from the coronavirus himself but was in good spirits and proved too good for the Real winger at the console on Sunday.

“I think it’s a quick retirement back out of FIFA for me to be honest … all it takes is one moment and my defence wasn’t good enough,” Bale, who is the co-owner of e-sports organisation Ellevens Esports, said.

With the coronavirus pandemic bringing football across the globe to a standstill, the world of e-sports has helped keep players and fans entertained.

“It’s just about people staying home and finding things to do … obviously everybody is going to find it difficult at different points (to self isolate) but if we can stay in and keep everyone safe, it’ll save lives,” Bale added.

“Everyone try your best to stay at home and keep yourself entertained.”

Other top players such as Luke Shaw, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jordan Pickford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also part of the event, which was broadcast live on Twitch and raised around £17,000 (US$20,791) through online donations.

Dybala, who won the game with a quick-fire brace from the Karim Benzema avatar and another goal from the virtual Eden Hazard, said the rematch would be in video game version of another sport close to Bale’s heart.

“It will be on the golf course,” said the Argentine, who admitted he had never played the sport in the real world.

There are shooting games, and there are shooting games. Irem’s 1987 R-Type can’t exactly claim to be the first of its kind, and you could well argue there are more widely acclaimed shooting games, but you’d be hard pushed to find any as iconic as this stately sci-fi venture. Cold, composed and challenging, it’s the archetypal 80s shooter, and a prime example of the genre in its pomp.

The popularity of shooting games would wane throughout the 90s, however, and by the turn of the century those in charge of the series wondered whether it had a future at all. Which explains the brilliantly fatalistic air that hangs over R-Type Final, the 2004 entry that was imagined as a full-stop for the series.

R-Type Final lead designer Kazuma Kujo has since discovered there’s life yet in the series, though. The veteran of Nazca, Irem and now Granzella – the studio where many Irem alumni ended when the company moved away from video games – now finds himself heading up development of a sequel, somewhat bafflingly called R-Type Final 2, after a Kickstarter campaign more than doubled its targets. A month ahead of R-Type Final 2’s release on April 29th, we spoke to Kujo about R-Type’s return, and what it will entail.

I’d like to start off talking about your relationship with the shooting genre.

Kazuma Kujo: I’ve loved shooting games since childhood. I’d play them in arcades and game centres. When I started working for game companies, when I entered the game industry, I’d create them all throughout my 20s. There were some games that I was able to play a role in creating that are lesser known. There’s Metal Slug…

I know that one quite well!

Kazuma Kujo: I started out with a passion for it and ultimately and kept with it and created those games

It’s a genre that’s clearly dear to you. Was it R-Type that attracted you to work at Irem in the first place?

Kazuma Kujo: Actually before I joined Irem I hadn’t played it – I did find it to be a really interesting game, but to be perfectly honest I found R-Type to be a little too difficult…

That’s fair enough. I love shooting games – I love them to bits – but I also find them very difficult but it doesn’t stop me loving them. R-Type Final was a game you played a big part in – what can you tell me about the thinking behind the concept of the game?

Kazuma Kujo: I’d just made R-Type Delta, and around that time I started to feel maybe the age of shooting games is coming to an end. While they were still popular even at that time, R-Type Delta, when it was released back in 1998, I felt that they were kind of waning in popularity. Fans had been asking us to make another R-Type, but I felt it would be challenging to make additional gains in that genre, that maybe they had reached a conclusion. I kind of wanted to end R-Type there – that’s how I came up with the name.

It did feel like a grand farewell. How has the landscape changed to make it viable for R-Type to come back now?

Kazuma Kujo: [laughs] I get that question a lot! When we released R-Type Delta, I thought that would be it, that there wouldn’t be a tonne more games in that genre. I certainly didn’t think that I’d be asked to make another game in that genre. However, the genre did not die!

In 2003, when R-Type Final was released, I thought that was definitely going to be the end! But contrary to that, the genre stuck around! They have staying power! On top of that, these great indie shooting games were releasing in the genre as well. So that’s one reason.

One other thing that’s kind of changed was wider TVs. Widescreen is the standard. In my eyes, an R-Type style game on that type of TV feels like a natural fit. But when I presented it, I did not expect the reaction to be what it was – I figured it’d maybe have more of a cult following. We got a really big response and I was surprised by that.

It was fantastic to see how big the response was as well, and it’s good to see so many fans of the shooting genre out there. The original R-Type was a very melancholy feeling game, in no small part because of the statement it felt like it was making about the genre dying. This time around, though, the mood around it all seems a bit more jubilant. Is that going to be reflected in this sequel, or is it still a melancholy kind of thing?

Kazuma Kujo: So as you say R-Type Final was meant to be a goodbye to the series as we saw it when we released it. But R-Type Final 2…. It’s kind of funny because even in the name Final, we are stuck with that a little bit. It’s maybe a little bit counterintuitive, but as you say everybody’s gathering together, even some of the original people that were involved. We have a really good feeling about the game, but as for the story it will have the classic style stages that you would expect in an R-Type game but at the same time the atmosphere is going to be kind of similar to the first R-Type Final.

That makes me happy – it makes me happy to hear it’s sad because that’s why I love these games. What’s the overarching theme this time?

Kazuma Kujo: In R-Type Final, there were scenes where human civilization had once been present, so these familiar scenes. R-Type Final 2 goes back to those roots to some extent. And as for player ships, there will be a number of the R-Type Final ships making an appearance in this.

The original R-Type Final was quite a traditional shooting game, as opposed to more hectic bullet hell type games. Is that going to be a similar case with R-Type Final 2, where it’ll be a kind of more sedate, traditional type of shooting game?

Kazuma Kujo: It’s definitely coming away a little bit from the danmaku genre and is going to have a more traditional flow. Even if danmaku was all the rage, R-Type would never be that kind of game!

Some more specific questions about R-Type Final 2. You said about making an R-Type game for widescreen TVs. How does that impact the design of the game, the pace and the feel, when having that space?

Kazuma Kujo: The first thing that comes to mind with widescreen TVs, we’re able to have what I consider to be a proper distance between the ships and parts of the stage. There’s certainly more freedom in general, and essentially making enemies was easier – the process is just a little more natural and a little simpler because of that. We did have to increase bullet speed as a result – if they stayed the same speed the pacing would not feel quite as good so their speeds were increased. It resulted in a creation process that was a bit different than the previous games.

R-Type Final was known for its huge selection of ships. I know you’re not going to have quite as many this time around. But how did you go about that selection process and deciding which ones to keep and which ones to discard?

Kazuma Kujo: First of all, I chose the ones I liked the best!

Haha, that’s the perfect answer.

Kazuma Kujo: So first I started with the ones that I liked. And eventually they just kind of went in order, and the idea was to fit in as many as possible. I haven’t told anyone else this yet, but the end goal, possibly with DLC later on, is to have every single R-Type Final one ship in R-Type Final 2.

Well, that’s amazing. That’s awesome to hear.

Kazuma Kujo: I don’t want to pick what doesn’t go in. I want it all to be there, and I don’t want to put anything on the cutting room floor as it were.

That’s really, really good to hear that. This feels like you’re able to do quite a lot with R-Type with the level of support you’ve got. You surpassed your Kickstarter goal – did it surprise you how much support the project received?

Kazuma Kujo: We definitely got more support than we had anticipated. We heard about Kickstarter years before we actually made one. But even still, we reached levels that we did not expect to reach.

That’s fantastic to see. At the time of the original your outlook for the shooting genre wasn’t so optimistic. What’s your outlook on the genre now?

Kazuma Kujo: Well, you’re absolutely right, we believed the genre was done for. And now we feel the opposite. Even in another 10, 15 years, it’ll still be around.

Buy R-Type Final 2 from Amazon [?]

REUTERS: World Games Birmingham CEO Nick Sellers said they had little choice but to move the 2021 event to 2022 as a clash with the postponed Tokyo Olympics would have seen them lose out on broadcasters and official scorers for the quadrennial event.

The World Games showcase over 30 sports, the majority of which are not on the Olympic programme such as squash, kickboxing and bowling.

Thirty venues across Birmingham, Alabama were set to host the 11th edition of the World Games, which first began in 1981, in July next year.

But the event was postponed to July 7-17, 2022 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the Tokyo Games would be held from July 23-Aug. 8, 2021.

“A big value in having the World Games in your community is the close relationship with the IOC partners around national television, here in the United States with NBC Sports and the Olympic Channel and with international sports broadcasters,” Sellers told Reuters.

“Also with Swiss Timing, who is the official scorer, not only for the Olympics but also the World Games… We would have lost all of those had we kept our World Games on the same date or even tried to move it up a little bit in 2021.”

Another factor that led to the decision to postpone the Games was the overlap of three sports with the Olympics – karate, softball and sport climbing – which would have forced competitors to skip the World Games.

“They’re all big draws in the United States, they’re growing spectator sports,” Sellers added.

“They’re important to keep as part of our program because we think there could be some interesting storylines between Olympic champions now and 2021 that will compete and perhaps defend their titles at the World Games.”

The move to postpone the World Games to 2022 means there will now be two international multi-sport events in the same month in Birmingham, albeit in two different countries.

Two days after the World Games conclude in Birmingham, Alabama, the Commonwealth Games are set to begin in Birmingham, England and Sellers said he envisions a bond between the two cities in 2022.

“They’re fairly close together and I think it’s going to come down to how we choose to work together,” he said. “We’re going to reach out to the Commonwealth Games.

“Obviously, it’s a unique time in our world history, given what has happened with the global pandemic that gave rise to this.

“I think there’s the potential for some real special connection between our two cities… both having multi-sport international competitions. It really lends itself to something special.”

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)

SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh called for “a thorough review of what a living wage in Singapore ought to be” for Singaporeans, following the announcement of the Solidarity Budget on Monday (Apr 6) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Singh and other WP Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their support for the Budget, but called for the Government to examine the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic beyond the next nine months.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed sectors that could be manned by more Singaporean workers in the future “for better resilience and national outcomes”, said Mr Singh.

“A thorough review of what a living wage in Singapore ought to be for Singaporeans who man our critical infrastructure and keep the country’s hearts beating would also be appropriate and timely, the same way strengthening our food security and critical supply chains are.”

READ: Solidarity Budget – S$600 cash support for all adult Singaporeans, other cash payouts to be brought forward to June

Mr Singh also noted that Singapore’s “army of cleaners” and the local cleaning companies also deserve recognition and support.

“Singapore owes them a debt of gratitude in this difficult period and it is time our workers who keep Singapore clean up are paid far more respectable wages, with Singaporeans ready to play their part too,” he added.

“I don’t think many of us truly appreciate how much more work they are doing trying to keep our HDB estates clean, while continuing to clear garbage and bulky items and keeping to their daily routines.

“But that is not all. It is the respect all of us must extend to them and all those who earn an honest living that matters so much in shaping the type of progressive society we aspire to be. Only then can we say we are a people who leave no one behind.”

Noting Monday news reports, Mr Singh also said that the living conditions of some foreign workers “is a stain on Singapore and Singaporeans”.

“Unless we act decisively in the days, months and years ahead, this stain will not go away. And it will eat at our collective conscience, damaging our sense of national unity and solidarity.”

READ: Singapore sees record daily spike of 120 COVID-19 cases, ‘significant number’ linked to worker dormitories

ENCOURAGING EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY

MP Sylvia Lim also sought clarification on how the Job Support Scheme which was announced would directly benefit workers, since the wage offsets are paid to employers rather than employees.

She noted that Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has urged employers who benefit from the scheme to hold onto their workers.

However, many employers had already asked employees to take no-pay leave or salary cuts before the scheme was announced, Ms Lim said.

“For instance, some airline staff had been asked to go on no pay leave for varying periods,” she added.

“With airlines now getting 75 per cent wage offset from the taxpayers, is there any obligation on employers to review these no-pay leave arrangements reached earlier to see if they are still justified after the wage offsets?”

While she acknowledged that employers “have to make tough choices”, Ms Lim noted that Mr Heng had said in his speech that he hopes companies that receive support will use the resources wisely and responsibly, and that “the government will not hesitate to take action against any abuse”.

“In the context of the job support scheme could the minister clarify what would constitute abuse by an employer?” asked Ms Lim.

READ: Solidarity Budget – Jobs support raised to 75% for April, payout brought forward

Questioning if the schemes announced in the Solidarity Budget will represent “a new normal”, Mr Singh asked if there will be continued support for Singaporeans whose jobs have been disrupted by technology, even after the package expires.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term needs of Singaporeans must be addressed “in a sustainable and equitable manner”, said Mr Singh.

“Today we are witnessing the threats of a pandemic to both livelihood and life itself, and so we must question its long term impacts on the economic and even psychosocial needs of our citizens.”

Adding that WP will “play its role” in these debates, he said: “To this end, our reserves and the prospect of taxes should continue to be robustly debated and considered in a detailed manner.”

BALANCING THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT GOVERNMENT TERM

Mr Singh also questioned how the Government will balance the Budget in  its next term if resilience “is going to be a longer-term issue” that lasts up to five years, and major economic restructuring is required.

“Would we need to adopt belt tightening austerity measures to balance the Budget? Can we afford to tighten the belt?

“And do we need to adopt a different stance towards the reserves, debt financing and deficits?”

Adding that a Government drawing on the reserves in its first year of the new term would be unprecedented, he stressed that this may be the case if additional support is rolled out in the coming months.

Referencing former American president Franklin Roosevelt’s series of financial reforms in the 1930s following the Great Depression, Mr Singh added: “Rather than focus on the timing of general elections, I think the public debate will be better focused on the choices before us, whether the resilience and solidarity budgets are the shape of a New Deal for Singapore? A new social compact for Singapore?

“How are we going to renew, rebuild and reinvigorate our economy and society after the storm has passed and the dust settles?”

READ: Lawrence Loh’s commentary: Singapore has a New Deal. We call it the Resilience Budget

READ: Solidarity Budget – Singapore spends another S$5.1b to save jobs, protect livelihoods amid impending circuit breaker rules

The supplementary budgets are “anything but supplementary”, said Mr Singh, noting that they are a “comprehensive response that will save businesses and jobs”, and help lower- and middle-income households tide over the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is good that the assistance quantum and the time frames for the various schemes are calibrated according to the different degrees of vulnerability faced by the target groups.”

The Government has also responded to the crisis in a timely manner, and its actions have kept the situation “largely under control”, Mr Singh also said.

“Years of preparation exercises and training in the healthcare realm, in particular, have borne fruit. However, a second phase of infections marked by first the returning Singaporeans and now by the increased community spread of the disease has proved more challenging and difficult to manage.”

Mr Singh acknowledged the efforts of “our heroes” including frontline workers such as nurses, cleaners, doctors, delivery workers and drivers.

“We should not forget our public officers too, from civil servants and teachers, to those guarding our borders and public spaces, namely our men and women in uniform.

“We must honour them for trying to allow Singaporeans to live our lives as normally as possible while keeping us safe. The same goes for every Singaporean involved in this fight. Thank you for your efforts and for the hard work,” he said.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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Brooklyn Nets (23-13, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (11-22, 14th in the Western Conference)

Houston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston looks to stop its 12-game skid when the Rockets take on Brooklyn.

The Rockets are 5-9 on their home court. Houston ranks seventh in the Western Conference with 46.8 points per game in the paint led by Christian Wood averaging 12.7.

The Nets are 10-7 on the road. Brooklyn has a 16-4 record against opponents above .500.

The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

TOP PERFORMERS: John Wall ranks second on the Rockets scoring 20.4 points per game, and is averaging 3.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Jae’Sean Tate is averaging 5.7 rebounds and 12.2 points per game over the last 10 games for Houston.

James Harden is averaging 25.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 11.3 assists for the Nets. Kyrie Irving is averaging 21.7 points and four rebounds while shooting 39.6% over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 0-10, averaging 100.7 points, 38.9 rebounds, 19.8 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 40.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points on 49.8% shooting.

Nets: 9-1, averaging 120.1 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points on 47.9% shooting.

INJURIES: Rockets: Dante Exum: out (calf), Rodions Kurucs: out (oblique), Eric Gordon: out (knee), Christian Wood: out (ankle).

Nets: Spencer Dinwiddie: out for season (acl), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot: out (knee), Jeff Green: out (shoulder), Kevin Durant: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.