Since Halo 2, playable Elites added a unique formula to Halo and from there till Halo Reach, it was a fan favorite. When 343 Industries took the reins, that feature has been absent since Halo 4, with the exception of the Master Chief Collection, which provides only remastered Elites from Halo 2: Anniversary along with past Elite armors. Further, MCC has been recently importing armors from the canceled title Halo: Online and thus far, 343 has prioritized Spartan armors over Elite despite clear modeled Elite armors being present in the fallen game.

And recently, in one of their #ask343 videos, they confirmed Elites won't return as a playable species in their upcoming game Halo:Infinite. What made Halo so unique from other sci-fi multiplayer games was that you could play as an alien as well as a human. With it gone, a massive fanbase who wanted them to return are now robbed of a popular feature. But 343 said never say never, so if you wish to play as an Elite again in Infinite and wish to see their armors expanded in future seasons in MCC, sign here! 

Before you do anything, see the Positives of Playable Elites:

1. Invasion game mode
2. Enhanced customization options
3. Vital for Machinimas
4. Feels “alien” to actually play as something other than a human