Lawmakers in both parties took aim at California-based video game company Blizzard Entertainment after it heavily penalized a Chinese player who spoke out in support of Hong Kong protesters during an interview.

Blizzard, which is based in Irvine, faced backlash from fans — including account cancellations and calls for international boycotts — after it was revealed that the company was involved in a decision to rescind all prize money and issue a one-year suspension to Blitzchung, a professional gamer who competes on Blizzard's international "Hearthstone" circuit.

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Sens. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power McConnell pushes back on Trump: 'There will be an orderly transition' Graham vows GOP will accept election results after Trump comments MORE (R-Fla.) and Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Ore.) tweeted that the issue was an example of U.S. companies being willingly engaged in Chinese efforts to tamp down on human rights.

"Recognize what’s happening here. People who don’t live in #China must either self censor or face dismissal & suspensions. China using access to market as leverage to crush free speech globally. Implications of this will be felt long after everyone in U.S. politics today is gone," tweeted Rubio.

Recognize what’s happening here. People who don’t live in #China must either self censor or face dismissal & suspensions. China using access to market as leverage to crush free speech globally. Implications of this will be felt long after everyone in U.S. politics today is gone. https://t.co/Cx3tkWc7r6 — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 8, 2019

"Blizzard shows it is willing to humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party. No American company should censor calls for freedom to make a quick buck," added Wyden.

Blizzard shows it is willing to humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party. No American company should censor calls for freedom to make a quick buck. https://t.co/rJBeXUiwYS — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) October 8, 2019

The company, best known for its mega-hit "World of Warcraft," has not addressed the issue publicly after news broke Tuesday.

It has largely spent time in the hours since the story came out dealing with a massive wave of user-generated fallout on Twitter, Reddit and its own forums as well as protests from streamers on the video streaming platform Twitch.

The controversy even appeared to spread to Mark Kern, a team leader and alumnus of Blizzard who previously worked on "World of Warcraft."

Elsewhere, Blizzard employees conducted their own silent protests, including covering up signs at Blizzard's Irvine headquarters referring to the company's commitment to free speech.