The Pre-Alpha 0.2 rolled out, and other than bug fixes, the new feature is a new NPC in town! So as discussed here, you can speak to this NPC and hire AI Controlled players that you can use them as followers (Hunters, Workers, Defenders will be added later).
You can have them follow you to battle, trade them items, equip them, and buff/heal you (only 2 abilities added at the moment).
