Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” explained the program's dean.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
Game masters can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses:
- Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of leading a game.
- Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
- Industry Advancement: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.
Every class includes eight hours of classwork divided across 48 hours.
“The courses are designed so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your regular session.”
Expert Instructors
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, both teaching the skill of universe design.
Industry advancement features several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.
“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several aim to release and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.
“One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is too valuable – 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 lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and coaching.
“The aim is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been building.”
Future Plans
Input from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I think it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”