Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” explained Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of instruction divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims.

“Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an full two days just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”