The gaming giant behind Grand Theft Auto (GTA) struck a US$12.7 billion deal to buy Zynga, one of the world’s biggest mobile gaming companies and maker of the beloved (now largely forgotten) “FarmVille” franchise. 

Some background: Long before we had Wordle, the internet gave us FarmVille. It quickly became the most popular game on what-was-then Facebook, by using clever tactics like encouraging users to spam their friends with game invites. 

At its height, 32 million people would log onto Facebook to play on a virtual farm every day. 

• Zynga made over 90% of its revenue from Facebook, but its stock tumbled after signing a new deal that reduced its dependence on Facebook for revenue. 

What’s happening: Take-Two is paying a 64% premium on Zynga’s stock price as part of its investment to compete with key players in the mobile gaming space, like Roblox. 

• But Zynga’s secret sauce isn’t its popular games, like FarmVille or Words With Friends—it’s their growth hacking techniques.
  
  
• Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said they may spin some of their own popular franchises, including GTA and Red Dead Redemption, into mobile games. 

Bottom line: We spend enough time on our phones every day to wince at the thought of our weekly screen reports, so it’s no wonder companies are doubling down on mobile gaming. 

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Goldman Sachs’ chief economist Jan Hatzius predicts the U.S. Fed will raise interest rates four times, instead of three times per the Fed’s forecast, in 2022. 

What’s happening: Goldman Sachs projected the Fed would raise interest rates in March, June, and September to tackle inflation. Now, the Wall Street bank expects a fourth rate raise in December.

Mixed response: Talks of rising interest rates have sent bond yields up 1.8%, a pandemic record. Fears that higher interest rates will cut into tech companies’ future profits have also prompted investors to ditch some of their more volatile tech stocks. Meanwhile, banks (which can benefit from rising interest rates) are more relaxed.

• Shopify tumbled by nearly 15% while RBC increased by nearly 3% last week.

The Canadian angle: Speculations about the Fed’s monetary policy can have a ripple effect on global markets and influence how other central banks approach interest rates. The Bank of Canada expects its first interest rate hike in April, but economists think an earlier rake hike is possible. 

• Nutrien’s stock falls as investors are left confused by the fertilizer company’s executive departures.
  
  
• Tennis stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov helped Canada win its first ATP Cup yesterday.
  
  
• Unifor’s president urges grocers to bring back hero pay for front-line workers.
  
  
• A researcher reportedly found a COVID strain that’s a hybrid of Delta and Omicron in Cyprus, though it’s too early to tell what it’s impact will be.
  
  
• Comedian and actor Bob Saget, best known for his role on the sitcom Full House, died at 65.

Summer year round, and now a taco subscription—should we move The Peak…to Arizona? Taco Bell began piloting a taco subscription service in the state last week, called the Taco Lover’s Pass.  

Let’s taco ‘bout it: Subscribers pay US$9.99 a month for one taco per day, which works out to 30 cents a taco. While it’s much cheaper than paying the usual average price of over US$1, Taco Bell is betting that customers will add more items to their orders. 

Why it’s happening: For the same reason clothing brands, and so many others, are pivoting to direct-to-consumer sales—to gain more control over profits. Fast food chains are using customer loyalty in their favour, and boy does Taco Bell have some loyal fans.

• Users must sign up as a rewards member via the Taco Bell app to purchase the Taco Lover’s Pass. 
• By ordering directly from Taco Bell instead of delivery apps the company keeps their fair share of sales. This way, Taco Bell can also collect data on their customers to better market their food. 

Are Canadians getting Taco Lover’s Pass, too? Taco Bell hasn’t said where else it’s launching the subscription service just yet. 

• There are 5,000 more Taco Bell locations in the U.S. than in Canada, so a similar subscription model in Canada might not be feasible. But we’re not losing hope…

• Why bother with the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement when you can meditate your way into becoming rich and successful?
  
  
• Scientists report 65 species, from dogs to birds, know how to laugh.
  
  
• Watch the trailer to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s reboot.
  
  
• Here are six ways to make January feel less draining and more fun.
  
  
• This ten-year old founder is on track to retire before her sixteenth birthday.