The article focuses on cognitive modeling for games and animation. According to the author it explores the uncharted interface between computer graphics and artificial intelligence. The modeling of graphical characters is a multifaceted endeavor, progressing from geometric modeling at the bottom of the hierarchy, through intermediate-level physics-based modeling, up to behavioral modeling. Cognitive modeling addresses a challenging problem closely related to mainstream Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics research. According to the author without cognitive modeling, it would be difficult for both the game developer and the game player to instruct these autonomous characters so they are able to satisfy specific goals. The article deals with how cognitive modeling can be perspicuously integrated into the modeling hierarchy. The author has divided cognitive modeling into two related subtasks: domain-knowledge specification and character instruction. The author concludes that in the next two to five years, the potential for communication among cognitively enabled characters should provide fertile ground for research into developing characters capable of sophisticated cooperative group behaviors.