London, England - A video game that depicts a crusade of violence by Christians could be heading for the bestseller charts this Christmas, even though it has been condemned by Muslims and secularists.
The game Left Behind: Eternal Forces is set in post-apocalyptic New York and features God's army battling the Antichrist.
Based on the bestselling Christian fantasy Left Behind series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, it puts players in command of brainwashed legions fighting the "good fight" for Christianity.
Gamers are ordered to convert or kill in order to re-model America as a Christian-controlled state, and establish its world vision of Christ's dominion over all aspects of life.
Gamers pit battles between the paramilitary Christian Tribulation Force and the grey, faceless Global Community forces of the Antichrist, said to be modelled on the United Nations.
If the Christians fail to convert others to their religion they must kill them in order to progress to the next level, dismissing any other form of religion.
The fantasy is an imagined scenario based on what might happen if the events depicted in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible and the ultimate in theological end games, were to take place today.
Critics accuse its creators of mixing religion and violence to appeal to teenagers hooked on violent games like Grand Theft Auto.
Aimed at 13-plus teenagers and originally sold in the US, where the storyline is based, UK outlets are now releasing the game in time for Christmas. It will capitalise on the success of the Left Behind books, which have sold more than 63 million copies worldwide.
Muslim religious groups have denounced the game as portraying their faith as evil and accused its creators of insulting their creed. Ironically, the conservative Christian lobby has often been most vociferous in its denunciations of on-screen violence.
A spokesperson for the Muslim Association of Britain called for the game to be banned, describing it as evil.
He said: "This game is irresponsible and highly racist. It demonises every other religion which isn't Christianity. People must boycott this violent game.
"It is a game that is prejudiced not just towards Muslims but every other religion which is not Christianity.
"Games like this poison the minds of young people and we urge people to boycott it."
Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said: "Fundamentalists on both the Christian and the Muslim side are creating this kind of nasty, extreme propaganda and aiming it at young people.
"Parents need to be on their guard. I'm not into banning things or censoring them, but I think most Muslims and most Christians would recognise that this is crude and despicable hate-mongering and give it a wide berth. It is up to parents to ensure that their children are not exposed to this loathsome trash."
Anti-Racist campaigner John Hutson, who has written a number of books on bridging the faith divide, fears the game will foster prejudice and should have never been given a certificate for release in the UK.
He said: "This game is the most dangerous and horrific ever to be produced.
"In the game you are armed with a selection of military weapons and set the task of converting Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists to fundamental Christianity.
"If you fail to convert other religions you are forced to take them out with extreme prejudice.
"It is a violent, racist game which should never have been released."
Creators Left Behind Games have dismissed the criticism, saying the religious storyline in the game is not taken from the bible and is a creation of the Left Behind authors which should not be taken seriously.
Troy A. Lyndon, Left Behind Games Chief Executive, said: "The game is designed to be a classic battle between good and evil.
"We have deliberately censored the blood and it does not gratuitously depict death or violence.
"Left Behind is not taken from the Bible, it is a fictional story.
"In the initial missions, there is little emphasis on physical warfare and gamers are introduced to powers of influence which result in a battle for the hearts and minds of people."
The game was released in the US on September 9 and was released in the UK on November 14.