Steering your friends into trouble is the theme of the game, so the events will be tied to selectively losing someone, but I do want to give players more choice in how things play out with map selection and a multiple slot save system in the future. I'd like to have paths where the main character gets in on the action a little if I have time.
I'm not sure about how comfortable right hand controls will be, but I don't see any reason not to add them to the numpad for those who want them.