Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can select packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork split over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are taught by a pair of experts. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to review whichever aspect is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Input from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”