So does anybody know if companions will be karma related, in that you have to be in a certain range of Karma to acquire them? I know Karma is working differently in NV but to what extent when it comes to companionship?

Can't say for sure but I hope not. seems they'll be more faction orienated like boone who kills CL on sight and a 'pro-CL PC'.

I hope karma does not affect any of them though, only by factions.

Well I can see someone like the doc not wanting to pal around with a cold blooded killer who murders innocent people.

I think that it'll be more reliant on rep than karma, at least I hope it will.

there been a few statements made that lead me to believe that most followers are faction based like boon, i believe it was sawyer who said that certain companions would leave based upon your actions like boon would leave if you did a quest fo CL, he also said that certain companions didn't like certain actions like killing but would be more willing if you helped them do a quest.

that coupled with the downplaying of the karma system makes me believe that most followers will be based on fraction rep