I really hope we can pick up new companions along the way. It seems only natural that we'll meet someone different in each chapter, rather than magically finding a myriad of various characters who happens to be in this particular corner of the world - and then never again anyone willing to travel with us.
It was also one of the things in BG1+2 that made the world feel somewhat alive. It was not just a collection of fights, it was people everywhere who could join us, fight us, or just wanted a dimwit to go steal a bird for them.
