Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your peers often in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” explained the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of training divided across a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you depart having tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, learn from, and then go right back home the following week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1,500 gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application 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 one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”