🔗 Share this article Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master University Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl. Course Offerings and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses: Foundational Skills: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session. Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over a weekend. “The courses are structured so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Most classes are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding. Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims. “Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Advanced Options A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The goal is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.” Future Plans Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl. Course Offerings and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses: Foundational Skills: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session. Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over a weekend. “The courses are structured so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Most classes are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding. Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims. “Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Advanced Options A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The goal is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.” Future Plans Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”