Yes, that was changed quite some time ago. Before, it was just too easy to collect all low-tier companions before the start of the war. Now you have to invest in the factions at least a bit.

This changes my plans for the companions quite a bit, actually. It's hard to come by rank quickly in the early going so you kind of have to settle for the rank 1 guys and do what you can with them. I found that as an elf of Lothlorien the best thing to do was make Dimborn a pathfinder+medic.
300+ days later and "simple" Dimborn is the sharpest dude in my party with an Int of 24 :) Got Cirdil early too but left him as a warrior. Luevanna came in later and got spotting/tracking/first aid duty, and I never bothered to recruit Faniul at all. Now I have everyone else though. I really like playing dress-up with the companions so I was a little disappointed at first, but it's just a delay.