I feel that the community has been focusing on the raw multiplayer and balance of Halo, and so I felt it would be appropriate to step back and suggest something for the overall “player experience”.
Clans (or as I coin it for the sake of Halo’s canon and because it just sounds better, “Fireteams”).
Of course I’m not the first person to have brought this up, but I feel that it is an element that should be added to Halo from my point of view. This really wouldn’t really affect gameplay or really anything other than to delve into more social and competitive Halo “feels”. What “Fireteam” would do is just unite players under a social team and hopefully build little bonds and enforce a sense of teamwork with players who want this option (keyword: option).
How it would work:
A player could go into his/her pop-up menu by clicking the “start” button on his/her controller and flip to the “Fireteam” section. There, they would have the option to either create a fireteam, join another fireteam by a search function (think of searching for maps, gametypes, etc. from other people’s file shares), or check on their own fireteam’s status if they are already part of a fireteam.
Creating a fireteam:
If a player is not part of a fireteam and would like to create their own, they would press the “create” option. Then they would be required to choose from a wide variety of approved names by 343i. Then they would create a team emblem from the normal emblem selection offered to players. The fireteam emblem would go on the opposite shoulder of the shoulder with the player’s personal emblem (the emblem players are able to customize by themselves, for themselves as according to tradition). Finally, players could recruit others into their fireteams. This would be done by a search function. Players would type in the gamertags of who they wanted to join their team and then would send an invite to said selected players to view from a notification (think of when you unlock a new weapon, skin, etc. in Halo 4; a little star with the number of invites) in the “Fireteam” section of the pop-up menu under “Invites”. Once a fireteam is made, the player who started it is promoted to team leader until the leave the team or promote another player. Also, a fireteam leader can choose his second in command (aka the person who the game will replace as team leader if the original team leader decides to leave the fireteam). If the team leader does not choose a second in command, the game will automatically delegate the position to the first member who joined the fireteam.
Joining a fireteam:
Players could either use a search function to join their friends’ or random players’ fireteams by entering the gamertag of a member of said fireteam and requesting an invite to that fireteam. This invite would be sent or redirected to the team leader and they are given the option to either accept or decline this request. It is important to note that if you try to join a fireteam that is filled, your request will be turned down by default.
Leaving a fireteam:
If for whatever reason a player decides to leave their fireteam, they can just select the “Resign” option under the “Fireteam” menu. A pop up asking the traditional “Are you sure?” will appear giving them the option to continue with their decision or change their mind. If the player is team leader and they resign, their second in command will take their place.
Your fireteam:
If a player is part of a fireteam, they will have an extra option under the “Fireteam” menu to check on the status of their team. This will list the members in numerical order (this will be explained later) as well as tell the player who of their team mates are online or offline and offer team stats such as a team K/D ratio, combined kills, etc. (of course, that information doesn’t really have much importance to overall gameplay, depends on the mentality of the team, casual or competitive). Team leaders will have additional options to change the team emblem and name. There can only be six members per fireteam, including team leader. It is also important to remember a fireteam does not have to have six members. Also, the game numbers players according to the chronological order that they joined the fireteam. This however does not affect the team leader and second in command as they will be automatically numbered one and two.
Booting:
The only way a member can be booted from their team is by “disapproval ratings”. This is an option that allows players to put their vote into removing a member from their fireteam. In order to have a member booted, that member must have half, at minimum, of the team’s disapproval ratings (votes) against them and then the team leader and second in command are given the option to boot that member. Disapproval ratings can also be made against team leaders and second in commands.
Social aspect:
Fireteams offer an extra additional social option and that is to align themselves with a sister fireteam. Think of it as creating a twelve-man (or less) team, but without the direct connection with members of the sister fireteam than with members of the player’s own fireteam. The only change this makes to your “Fireteam” menu is giving the online/offline status of members of your sister fireteam. Players can also compare competitive statuses of their fireteams with others through a search function on Waypoint similar to comparing personal Halo 4 stats with another player.
Gameplay:
The ONLY ways being part of a fireteam will affect your gameplay are by having your team emblem on your other shoulder in game and by having your fireteam name under your gamertag in small letters when allies place their reticle over you in gameplay.
Limitations:
-The reasoning behind optional names is to prevent naming abuse by irresponsible players. Players could, however, suggest names to 343i through (maybe) the Waypoint forums or some other source and get that/those name(s) approved.
-Fireteams can have the same name and emblem, but because of wide selection, it would be rare, if not improbable, for a fireteam to run into another fireteam coincidentally with the same name and emblem.
-One may argue after reading this that team leaders are given too much authority, but it is (at least I find it to be) impractical for every decision to be limited to voting in game, when those decisions can be made over verbal or electronic communication.
Key notes:
Being part of a fireteam is optional. Having members on your team is optional. Being team leader is optional. Who your members are is optional. Paying attention to your team stats is optional (duh). If you don’t have the interest of being on a fireteam, even if it’s just you, or have the interest to pay attention to certain features, by all means, don’t. This is just to open up to people who would enjoy this option whether it would be for social/competitive usage. 
