Microsoft announced that they were going to begin shutting down the Internet Games services for Windows ME and XP starting on July 31st, 2019. For Windows 7 users, it will be shut down on January 22, 2020, eight days after Windows 7 reaches end of support. Current players may enjoy the games until the dates above, when game services will cease, and the games listed will no longer be playable. Microsoft created a list of questions, answers, and statements that you could send to your live opponents to make things more interactive.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-is-shutting-down-their-classic-internet-games-service/