Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the organizers began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“You can watch countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and other game masters likely in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” noted the program's dean.
Available Classes and Cost Levels
Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, according to the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Foundational Skills: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
- Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.
All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork split over two days.
“The classes are designed so that you depart having tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, learn from, and then return to your group the next week and put into practice in your local game.”
Expert Instructors
Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.
Career building includes multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.
“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”
Coming Developments
Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing different seminar structures.
“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”
