Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are led by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate any element is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to a longer period, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”