Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” explained the program's dean.
Workshop Options and Ticket Packages
Game masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
- Industry Advancement: Designed for DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.
Each course includes two days of instruction split over a weekend.
“The workshops are designed so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your local game.”
Professional Teachers
Many sessions are instructed by a pair of experts. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the craft of setting creation.
Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives.
“Various attendees plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Advanced Options
A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.
“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2.5K platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.
“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate any element is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”
Coming Developments
Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.
“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”
