So much for ultimate frisbee. Paintball, an indoor war game featuring, not surprisingly, balls of paint for bullets, has become the sport of choice for corporate retreats, bachelor (and bachelorette) parties, birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations and the occasional paramilitary get-together. For seven years, Boston Paintball has provided the citizens of Boston with paintguns, protective gear and a warehouse-like battlefield.

"Mainly groups are more agressive because they make up their own rules," explains Santino, the friendly staffer. He adds that when employees from a particular company come together, they can be particularly brutal.

"They all want to kill each other," he says. "Company games are really bad for the bosses, because nobody wants to play and games but 'Hunting the Boss.' And of course, at bachelor parties, everyone wants to hit the bachelor."

While many groups choose to make up their own rules and games, the staff provides game guidelines for the general session. Boston Paintball has only some necessary safety rules, including a requirement that players to wear protective facegear at all times on the field. Though companies and colleges in the area provide many of the patrons, sometimes former and present military officers as well as police come to hone their skills. The State Police, Boston Police and Special Task Forces use the facilities for training.

"The difference I see is aggressiveness," Santino explains. "With those guys, they're out to kill. Not literally, of course."

Neither age nor sex deters people from trying out this violent sport. The youngest children allowed to play are 10, but older guys in their fifties often show up as well.

"It's really anybody's game," says Santino. "Though I haven't seen any little old ladies yet."

Boston Paintball can be found one block from the Fleet Center at North Station. Patrons can reserve the field for groups of more than 10 people, or individuals can come for the open games on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A three-hour session, including equipment rental and 200 paintballs, costs $39 plus tax per person for adults. Extra paintballs, jumpsuits and chest protectors (for women) cost extra. Group discounts are available for groups with more than 30 people. Call 617 742-6612 for more information.

One sunny Saturday afternoon, I find myself craving violence. Logically, I ditch my response papers and head out to Boston Paintball for some warfare fun. I bring along my roommate Sameera, a pretty and petite pre-med, and my friend Jay, a former ROTC member and also a Crimson executive.

PRELIMINARIES: Past the Point of No Return

As we fill out the consent forms, Sameera notes the disclaimer that clears Boston Paintball of any liability for death.

"I don't want to die," she quietly moans in a brief and uncharacteristic moment of weakness. The sweet-faced receptionist assures us in a gruff Boston accent, "I never ever heard of anyone dying from paintball." Eighteen Tufts students and eager young boys with their fathers gather in the paint-splattered waiting room. My friends and I sit down and admire a particularly deadly-looking weapon lying on the table.

"That's my gun," an angelic blond boy informs us.

"Oh I'm sorry," I apologize, "Do you paintball often?"

"No, this is my first time," he answers. He came with his father for his 13th birthday. What a touching father-and-son bonding session, I think to myself. My father and I used to play Scrabble.