I didn't know that about datamining, if it's true I'd be glad if there were a total of 8 with gender balance. For me, 8 origin characters is fine, but I would appreciate a system to implement more companions even without origin, to have more variety of races and classes to make a team according to your preferences/strategies.
I have suggested this before:
1 male and 1 Female voiced hireling that are completely customizable.
So more generic in dialogue in some ways, but that comment on general surroundings, events, and progress.
