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

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters run D&D games in historic castles in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers likely in comparable situations and also want to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can choose from tiers ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes multiple sessions of training spread over a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by two professors. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package offers an extended personal consultation and the chance to lead a session for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The aim is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”