🔗 Share this article Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master University Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the program's dean. Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers DMs can choose from tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses: Foundational Skills: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives. “Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction. “The aim is for the teacher to evaluate any element is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been building.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with big conventions.”
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the program's dean. Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers DMs can choose from tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses: Foundational Skills: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives. “Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction. “The aim is for the teacher to evaluate any element is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been building.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with big conventions.”