Fire Emblem Engage: Developer Interview Reveals Early Concept Art for Alear’s Hairstyle and Eye Design

Ahead of the highly anticipated launch of Fire Emblem Engage on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has published an insightful 'Ask the Developer' interview, offering fans an exclusive look into the creative process behind the series’ latest main character, Alear.

Developed by Intelligent Systems, Fire Emblem Engage is set to become the next major installment in the long-running tactical RPG franchise, and this latest developer interview sheds light on how the game’s striking art style came to fruition. In the second installment of the interview, director Tsutomu Tei of Intelligent Systems shared a trove of early concept art, revealing that Alear could have sported a variety of different hairstyles and color palettes.

"We began designing with the main characters, Alear and Céline, focusing initially on both base male and female versions," explained Tsutomu Tei.

The creative team explored several rough designs in the initial stage.

According to Tei, one of the key aspects of the character design process involved the proposal of numerous variations in hairstyles and color schemes, followed by extensive internal discussions to finalize Alear's distinct look. The detailed interview also highlights the artistic contributions of character designer Mika Pikazo, particularly in Alear’s eye design.

"A significant amount of effort went into expressing the eyes," the developers noted.

They described how both the bold use of color and delicate balance in the eyes were essential to capturing Alear’s personality.

The irises, in particular, presented a unique challenge, as Pikazo crafted intricate details that avoided oversimplification, lending the character greater depth and visual impact. Fire Emblem Engage is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch on January 20, 2023.

The game continues Intelligent Systems’ legacy of genre-defining tactical role-playing experiences, offering fans new challenges and a fresh narrative while maintaining the core gameplay mechanics beloved by the community.

Notably, Fire Emblem Engage features a rich cast of characters and a distinct visual identity, with Alear’s final design playing a central role in setting the tone for this new entry. The full 'Ask the Developer' interview is available on Nintendo’s official website and provides further insight into the collaborative design process.

With Fire Emblem Engage’s launch imminent, anticipation is high for both longtime fans and newcomers eager to explore the next chapter on the Nintendo Switch.

For more information on Fire Emblem Engage’s development, character art, and design decisions, visit Nintendo’s official channels or check out the developer’s interview series.

Fire Emblem Nintendo Fire Emblem Engage Intelligent Systems Alear Nintendo Switch Switch