Report: Nintendo R&D Facility Will Cost $204M

Nintendo has increased the amount it plans to spend on its new Kyoto-based R&D facility, due to begin construction in January 2012, according to media reports. Nintendo first acquired the site back in 2009 for ¥12.8 billion ($141.9 million) as a means of consolidating the R&D departments at two different facilities to improve team communication. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the company was looking to spend 12.8 billion yen ($154 million) on the construction of the facility, which will house over 1,500 employees. Japanese newspaper Nikkei is now reporting, as translated by Andriasang, that Nintendo is planning to invest an increased amount of ¥16.5 billion ($204.4 million) in the facility. The building is set to be completed by 2013. Built on top of a former golf range, the new offices will be located closer to Nintendo's headquarters, as both buildings will be located in Kyoto's Minami Ward. It will have eight floors, including a basement. The facility will be the Mario house's primary R&D location, with its staff concentrating mainly on software and hardware product development.