Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 6 Mutant Year Zero

Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 6 Mutant Year Zero

From Around the Hearth by Open Hearth Gaming Community

May 7, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 64

About this episode

The episode discusses the game Mutant: Year Zero, its mechanics, publication history, and related media.

In our sixth episode of Roll for Mutation , we talk about one of the greatest modern post-apocalyptic games: Mutant: Year Zero (and the rest of the Mutant line). We talk about mechanics, important since this engine ends up powered a ton of Free League games in various versions. We talk about the publication history, drawing heavily on Magnus Seter's masterful book Outside the Box , and the media spin offs and properties associated with the franchise. Finally we talk about our thoughts and impressions of this game and the line as whole. References Outside the Box: How Sweden Conquered the World of Role-Playing Games Marc's MYZ AP Playlist Lowell MYZ AP Playlist Mutant: Year Zero: 36 Mood Elements for the Zone Mutant: Year Zero: 36 Plots for Roles Help Rae Recover Links Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcilla For other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of…

Topics covered

  • post-apocalyptic games
  • TTRPG history
  • game mechanics
  • publication history
  • media spin-offs

Keywords

  • Mutant Year Zero
  • post-apocalyptic
  • TTRPG
  • game mechanics
  • Free League

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mutant: Year Zero, Outside the Box

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