Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage D&D games in historic castles in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of training divided across two days.

“The courses are designed so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by two professors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.

“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them aim to release and write original content,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”