When Dovahkiin is running to the cliff ledge in the trailer, no footprints are left.

I've tried looking before for it, but came to the conclusion that the snow that "bursts" when he runs towards the cliff block the sight too much on the ground to see if there are any footprints.

I was thinking since Skyrim has a fair amount of snow and snow storms, would we be able to track game by their footprints in the snow? And likewise, would we be the prey to larger animals that track us in the snow?

How long would footprints persist in the snow and would it be a predetermined time if they do exist? Maybe footprints could stay untill the dynamic snow storm covers them back up. That would take a lot of RAM to be able to 'remember' snow print pattens. I am sure a little snow trail will be there but how much the new engine could mimic tracks is still up in the air.. Any speculation or answers about the snow engine are welcome..

I like this idea too. If you were tracking an animal, then found them, then shot them with an arrow, and the animal doesn't die, I think it would be cool if they bolted but left a trail of blood in the snow which you could follow and then finish them off. Who knows, maybe you were hunting a sabre-tooth and it ran off and the blood trail lead you to a hidden cave and you enter thinking it should be an easy kill but you stumble upon a family of sabre-tooths and all of a sudden the hunter becomes the hunted.

When Dovahkiin is running to the cliff ledge in the trailer, no footprints are left.

A few sidequests from an NPC would be ace.

Huntsman Nord needs you to find a Great Riften Elk and collect it's pelt for him.
*A broad location of the Great Riften Elk has been marked on your map*

There, the animal walks in a set path (that is unbeknownst to you), circling around to repeat the same migratory pattern, stopping occasionally to graze. The only trace of the hunt you can find is it's hoof prints in the snow (all other animal foot prints should be disabled during a hunt as to give you a sense of tracking). You can sneak up on the animal but only as close as, say, fourty yards until it catches your scent. Then, instead of walking peacefully, it darts a long way down the set path and escapes. This way, hunting can only be accomplished through traditional means of bow & arrow (atleast if the prey is a solitary herbivore). If it's something like a brown bear or a frost troll, then things should be much different.

Huntsman Nord needs you to find a White Run Sabretooth Cat and collect it's pelt for him.
*A broad location of the White Run Sabretooth Cat has been marked on your map*

The hunt begins like before with the prey on a set path walking through the map, stopping occasionally to scavenge for easy food. But these animals frequently hide in caves and under the cover of snow. It is quite easy to loose their track and pass them by mistake. If this happens, you may soon realize that the prey is stalking you. If you can survive a suprise attack and fend off the voracious creature, you can resume the hunt as normal or, if you're lucky, kill it with swiftness and strip the prey of it's unique feature.

You have collected Blah Blah's pelt. Return to Huntsman Nord for your reward.
+5 moneys :happy:

Edit: Animals that move in groups, such as mammoths, should also be given different styled hunting quests. Maybe you already know their exact location (it most likely being obvious) in the middle of, say, The Pale. You just have to bring the beast down without facing the wrath of the herd.

I highly doubt this is in. I don't think it's important enough to waste the dev time. If you want it just mod it in.

I agree, but I can't mod them in. I only have a 360.

So do I. Personally, I'd love to have footprints, but they aren't crucial. If they can add it in without messing up something else it's alright

When Dovahkiin is running to the cliff ledge in the trailer, no footprints are left.