There are behind the scenes actions being taken and talks being, well … talked. Both of which we have no influence over. For now, know that the Charlie Murder band is eager to take the Xbox stage and that we will let you know about release info when we get word. If you can’t wait, don’t forget that Charlie will be playable at our booth during PAX East.

Vampire Smile PAX Buttons
You’ve already seen the Z0MB1ES collection of our free PAX East mini buttons as well as the Charlie Murder ones. Now, for your button loving enjoyment, here is the final mini-buttons collection featuring gorgeous (and gruesome) Vampire Smile artwork. Tada! Remember, all of these buttons will be available (in limited quantities) for free at our PAX East booth. So, stop by and get the goods while the gettings are good.

Later
Two weeks to go until PAX and that’s all we’re thinking about. As a result, there will be no witty end to this blog, because I have other obligations to tend to. Stay safe, stay clothed and have a great weekend.

Congrats to them on winning the Z0MB1ES prize pack and thanks to everyone who entered. You’re still winners to us.

We partnered with the dudes over at Merch Lackey who will ultimately be the ones you hand over your money to and direct all customer service inquiries at. But James is the one who actually designed the goods and was able to fill the online store with gruesomely fashionable Vampire Smile t-shirts, tour trendy Charlie Murder wearables, Z0MB1ES threads and a couple high quality posters. Swing over to the online store and take a look around or stop by our PAX East booth from March 26-28th where we’ll have the complete Ska Studios collection available for purchase.

Sneak A Peak At Our FREE PAX East Buttons
The last time we talked free PAX mini-buttons we showed off our Z0MB1ES collection. This week we have for you picture proof that Charlie Murder mini buttons exist and will also be available for free as our gift to you just for visiting our PAX East booth. That’s punk rock awesomeness.

Good’morrow
The countdown is on and PAX East nears just over the horizon. We’re busy putting together a demo build of The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, purchasing booth items, getting all our ducks cats in a row and being all busy and such. So, we’ll get back to work and you continue to be you. Bye now.

Inside the virtual store you’ll find four t-shirt designs crafted by Mr. James Silva from games including The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, Charlie Murder and GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES. Not only that, but we have super high quality Vampire Smile and Charlie Murder posters as well.

The storefront is managed by the fine folks over at Merch Lackey who will not only take your order, but will also provide customer service. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them over here.

Finally, for all the future PAX East attendees out there, know that the entire Ska Studios merchandise collection will be available for purchase at the Ska booth. Enough reading, get shopping!

To celebrate the occasion, we felt it would be appropriate to give back (you know, pay it forward) and decided the best way to do that is by giving away some of our soon to be released newly launched merchandise. Up for grabs are three Z0MB1ES prize packs which include one PLAED Z0MB1ES GAM3 tee, two Z0MB1ES mini pins and one GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES game download code for you or to share with a friend (ARV $18).

This giveaway is now closed.
To Enter The Giveaway:
1.) Simply follow @skastudios on Twitter.
2.) Tweet this exact message verbatim: “I am one of the @skastudios 200,000 who PLAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES! http://bit.ly/clkABt” and do so by Friday, March 5th at 5PM eastern.
3.) Wait to see if you’re one of the lucky three winners to get a Twitter direct message from @skastudios informing you that you won!

Good luck on the giveaway and, of course, this Z0MB1ES success story would never have happened without your $1 purchase, recommendations to friends and positive game ratings. Know that James and all of Ska Studios are grateful for your Z0MB1ES enthusiasm of which no words can express. Your Ska support has not gone unnoticed, thanks so much!

This week’s other big news is the confirmation that The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile will be playable (for the first time ever) to the gaming masses during PAX East. If you’ll be attending, be sure to swing by the Ska booth to play Vampire Smile and Charlie Murder, mingle a bit and be happy.

Merch
Merchandise is very, very close to being finalized and should be available for purchase via our online store next week (pending any cataclysmic production disasters). At launch, we’ll have a mix of Charlie Murder, Vampire Smile and Z0MB1ES t-shirts and quality posters all at reasonable prices. We aren’t in the business of telling people what to do, but if we were, we would say go prepare for the store’s opening by violently smashing your piggybank into pieces and harvesting its coin innards. Don’t worry, your piggy knew this day would come and will hold no grudges.

Until Next Week …
It has been a busy, busy week full of excitement, game announcements and giant cookies. It’s time for us to take a cat nap. Goodnight … we’ll talk soon.

Click to “BOOSH”-size

(Thanks goes out to Ashley for the giant baked good!)

Enjoy the announcement trailer for The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, releasing to Xbox LIVE Arcade “when it’s done.” You can also download your very own 720p HD copy over at VampireSmile.com. Release of press after the break.

Schenectady, NY – February 24, 2010 — Ska Studios today proudly unveiled their latest project, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, and confirmed that it will release “when it’s done” exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the premier destination for downloadable games. Additionally, it was announced that The Dishwasher fans will be able to experience Vampire Smile at the Ska Studios booth during the PAX East expo that is taking place March 26-28 in Boston.

The followup to 2009’s Dead Samurai, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a combo-fueled, fast-paced, stylistic 2D action platformer that features the series’ staple gritty, graphic novel-inspired art style, built on a brand new engine that allows for an even more visually gruesome experience. Gamers will wield new weapons like the Violence Hammer, whose business end consists of a section of girder wrapped in barbed wire and random hardware, and the Painkiller, a six foot long syringe. The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile comes with two solo character campaigns as well as a co-op campaign, 50 quick arcade challenges and an endless Dish Challenge.

“Put simply, we are taking The Dishwasher to a bigger, better and more badass level,” said Ska Studios founder James Silva. “Fluid animation, insane combos, disturbing weapons and creeping mental illness are set to collide in a very bad way when this game launches.”

For the latest on The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, please visit us online at www.ska-studios.com, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/skastudios or become our fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/skastudios.

About Ska Studios LLC
Based in Schenectady, NY, Ska Studios is an indie video game developer that was founded in 2007 by one unnaturally talented individual; Mr. James Silva. The studio got its start developing PC games, like the cult hit Survival Crisis Z, but quickly transitioned to developing for Xbox 360 after winning Microsoft’s Dream-Build-Play competition. Ska Studios continues to release games on Xbox LIVE Arcade and Xbox LIVE Indie Games, including The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai and the Indie Game of the Year I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1NIT!!!1. For more information on Ska Studios, please visit www.ska-studios.com.

That said, those Fervor Shine folks know how to get on our good side, because out of all the things Ska Studios enjoys in life, a good old fashioned countdown clock ranks high on that list. Our expectations grow with each passing second and we can’t help but wonder what happens when there are no more ticks to tock and the clock strikes zero.

Ska Wearable Goods Update
Here’s a quick update on the upcoming release of Ska branded wearables, presented in a semi-creative Q&A format where we act as if we were answering real, fan submitted questions:

Q: Are you done designing those super awesome Ska Studios t-shirts yet?
A: Yes sir (or ma’am), we’re done with the designs! James put digital pen to paper and churned out some darn amazing tee artwork.

Q: So, can we see those designs now?
A: Whoa partner, not just yet. It’s called patience. Be patient.

Q: But I have all this money that I want to spend on your goodies.
A: Good point. We like your money and will take it from you in exchange for product in a few weeks time. That’s a promise.

Q: Will we get to see Gato modeling the new clothing?
A: Actually, that’s an interesting idea. One that could turn out to be rather adorable or end up with PETA knocking on our door in protest. We’ll consider it.

Don’t forget, “the goods” will be available for purchase in our online store and at our PAX East booth. Be sure to save your pennies.

Let’s Wrap This Up Like A Burrito
That’s it for this week. Of course, we could end with even more vague hints of next Wednesday’s news to build up even more excitement, but that is what a countdown clock is for. See you on the 24th!