[11] The song was written by the band's lead vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, initially for the video game Death Stranding and its soundtrack Death Stranding: Timefall,[4] but is also featured on the band's commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror.

The song was created while the band was touring in Europe, with Sykes and Fish setting up temporary studios in hotel rooms.

[16] More to it, the game character Die-Hardman wears a carbon skull mask with Ludens text on the forehead.

When asked about the identity of the mascot, Hideo Kojima responded: "That's everyone, that's us, that's the users, that's each one of us wearing that skull mask.

According to Sykes, the song's lyrics are centred around the human race and its ability to adapt while also tying into the themes of Death Stranding.

"[7]Physical releases of Post Human: Survival Horror bear a different lyric in the second verse of the song.

[17][18] "Ludens" entered the UK Singles Chart on 15 November 2019, peaking at number 75 for a solitary week.

[22][23] "Ludens" debuted and peaked on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart at number 2, being denied the top spot by Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".

[26] Directed by Sykes himself, it features the band playing to a relatively small crowd while they mosh to the music and protest, with footage from Death Stranding being shown throughout the video.