SHANGHAI, China--In America, 2004 has seen the cancellation of many high-profile massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Ultima X: Odyssey, Mythica, Warhammer Online, have all fallen under the axe.

However, across the Pacific, a classic role-playing game with more than a dozen sequels is about to be reincarnated as an MMORPG space. At a press conference this week in Shanghai, Ubisoft China and game developer TQ Digital Entertainment said they had inked a deal that will see an MMORPG based on the Might and Magic franchise reaching Chinese gamers in 2005. A worldwide launch is also being considered.