Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork spread over two days.

“The courses are created so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are taught by a pair of experts. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Input from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”