Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters lead D&D games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and other game masters likely in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Course Offerings and Ticket Packages
Game masters can select tiers ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:
- Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
- Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games.
- Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Career Building: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes eight hours of training split over two days.
“The classes are structured so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your local game.”
Professional Teachers
Most classes are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.
Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.
“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Higher Tiers
A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.
“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The $2,500 premium option includes an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess whichever aspect is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice 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 developing.”
Next Steps
Input from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.
“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”
