We've seen three "main" characters, or at least three characters we can assume are the main characters.  So, is that the group?  Will you roll with the same trio (with a few guest characters for select fights) or will there be 6 or 7 people to switch between?  I think I'd like the 3-man party, although you could probably argue that only having three dudes leaves less room for interesting character customization.  Also, it limits the number of different classes/archetypes you can have access to at once.

So what would you rather have?

I'd prefer it if we had a whole bunch. Not only does this allow more customization, but it means the story can split off in 2 or more directions at the same time, with 2 different groups.

I'd like a core group of around 5 people that are playable, that way each person will hopefully have an important part to play in the story, and not like most of the FF games where there are a few characters that doesnt play any significant part in the story at all.

As for the combat system, i dont care how many people the party consists of, as long as the combat is fun.

I would like to see a party of 5, like the above poster said, but I see SE making it for 3.

I am guessing a party of three,  but it really depends on what type of battle system they are going with for the game.   For a more turn based approach a party of five is optimal especially for variety and the amount of strategy you can employ.  I assume it is going to be more similar to the FF12 approach and anymore then three party members would be a bit of a mess to manage.  

I'd like to see a party of one:Dseriously, it'd be great.

It's probably a party of three, but the battle system of Final Fantasy X did let you switch characters easily in the middle of the fight so I wouldn't be surprised if they had something like that planned for Final Fantasy 13.

Both are possibilities. I do like having a large group of characters for story purposes, but for battles I prefer 3 or 4 characters that are with you all the time, but have some sort of a job system to change their abilities. So I don't know which one I'd prefer.

Only FFIV had 5 party members. =(

I actually think three would work pretty good for story purposes... it also gives them access to the "love triangle" people adore so much.

I heard in an interview for most part of the beginning of the game you play as Lightning alone. Then later she slowly grows accustomed to having people join her cause. I would personally like more than three characters for a 50+ hour game.

Well I would like 5 characters in a party but my guess is that there will be three. =/  But three would work great and all. :)

Personally, I'd prefer between 5 and 8. More than that and it gets harder to have every character be fully developed.

Story considerations aside. From a gameplay perspective 2 times the number of characters in the battle formation is good - makes it easier to keep the character levels more or less even, something I obsess about in RPGs. It also makes splitting the party up much simpler if it's required by the story.

I'm getting the feeling that this game is going to be a party of 3.. I'm okay with between 3-5 party members

"I'm getting the feeling that this game is going to be a party of 3.. I'm okay with between 3-5 party members
"

"suneku said:

"I'm getting the feeling that this game is going to be a party of 3.. I'm okay with between 3-5 party members
"

Party of 3 or maybe 4 in battles, but it can be quite numerous in story, but i beleive it will stay very small like 5. Take FFX for example Rikku and Kimahri sucked ass as battle party characters (almost never used them) But I absolutely loved their stories! Especially Kimahri.
"

I'd imagine that it'd be 6-7.   They'll probably have a decent story section for each but in reality only 3-4 will be core to the story

I like the 3 party thing. It gives the characters more story and allows you to focuss on developing them. But 4-5 are good too. I loved FFIX's system. Especially in that one area where they had to split up and face the Kuja and the 4 beasts.

About 5 people seems about right.