Epic's Mark Rein may be keen to stress the value of the $5.99 Infinity Blade #1 top grossing game as a piece of entertainment, but that doesn't the company isn't also looking at other ways to take a buck.

The first update, which is going live today, will include the option for players to buy the in-game currency Gold with real cash.

Gold is used to buy new weapons and armour, and up to this point was only earned by your in-game success.

Flexible friends

The update also includes a free content dump featuring five new swords, five new shields, five new helmets, one set of armour, a bump of the maximum character level from 40 to 45, and a new enemy - the Marrow Fiend.

Another top performing developer allowing its fans to pay in order to play its game in a less rigorous manner is Rovio. The update to Angry Birds HD for the iPad introduces (finally) the Mighty Eagle, a 99c smartbomb that can be used once per game to clear any level you're stuck on.

If and when you go back and clear that level, you regain the option to use the Mighty Eagle anew.

It's also expected to make its appearance on iPhone, Ovi Store and Android in due course.