Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and other game masters who are probably in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from tiers ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

Every class includes two days of training split over 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures 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 put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Input from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with big conventions.”