Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes eight hours of training spread over two days.

“The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option includes an extended personal consultation and the chance to run a game for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Input from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we host such events very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”