Remote work discrimination is real, folks — and I just experienced it first-hand.

You know how the world sometimes feels like a giant high school? Some countries are the popular kids everyone wants to hang out with. Others are the outsiders — not invited to the parties. And then there are the bullies who steal your lunch money.

When we talk about job discrimination, most people think about race, gender, or sexuality. But in the digital job market, another type of bias is silently growing: geolocation discrimination.

Let me share my latest fun experience, straight from the game industry hiring process.

My Job Interview… That Wasn’t Really an Interview

Yesterday, I got a message from a Singapore gaming studio with 20 games in development. They invited me to their Discord for a quick HR chat. I was excited — despite the fact that I was mid–hair dye disaster and had just burned half my hair (pro tip: set a timer).

I have 6 years of experience as a remote artist, working with clients worldwide. I focus not just on drawing but on consumer psychology and creating visuals that sell. I came prepared to talk ideas, marketing strategies, and value creation.

But the HR rep had one single question:

“Are you from Canada?”

Not “Tell us about your portfolio.”
Not “What can you bring to our team?”
Not even “Do you like pineapple on pizza?”

Just: Canada.

When I said “no,” I was instantly blocked. That’s it. No feedback, no thanks, no “we’ll keep your resume.” Just a remote job rejection based purely on geolocation bias.

Why This Is a Problem in the Digital Job Market

We live in a world where companies claim they hire for skills, but sometimes all that matters is your postal code. And it’s not just me — I’ve seen countless remote workers turned away for the same reason.

In the game industry, where digital work is king, this is even more ironic. With AI tools, almost anyone can create a game today. But will companies support your work if you’re not in their “approved” country list?

I even offered them a free one-month trial to prove my skills. Still no. Because apparently my IP address is scarier than a bad game launch.

The Bigger Picture

I’m sharing this for other artists job hunting remotely. Universities and career coaches will tell you to “work hard, build your skills, and you’ll succeed.” But the truth? The digital job market reality is that even talented professionals get rejected for reasons they can’t control — like not living in Canada.

And in an industry that should be global, hiring bias based on location doesn’t just hurt job seekers. It hurts innovation.

So here’s my message to studios:
Blocking talented candidates because they’re “from the wrong country” might feel like a safe hiring shortcut — but it doesn’t make you look exclusive. It makes you look outdated.

Who knows? One day, that “wrong location” artist might just be your competitor.