🔗 Share this article Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Workshop Options and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops: Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of leading a game. Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business. Every class includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your local game.” Expert Instructors The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals. “Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Premium Packages A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for several participants plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate any element is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements. “I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Workshop Options and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops: Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of leading a game. Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business. Every class includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your local game.” Expert Instructors The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals. “Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Premium Packages A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for several participants plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate any element is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements. “I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”