Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction together with fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Game masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes eight hours of training divided across two days.

“The courses are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by two professors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with definite objectives.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with large gatherings.”