Why are gaming clans called clans?

Wikipedia says: "A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent." In gaming clans there is usually no kinship nor descent. I am in a gaming clan for years, but I can only give theories. Anyone knows the answer?

I always thought it's like a "ninja clan" - and under "clan" I understood a group of soldiers who train together. The above definition introduces kinship and descent. :S

 

They do it to continue the nerdy Dungeons Dragons feel.

 

Sometimes they are called guilds instead, or just plain groups/teams. Just depends on what you'd like to call 'em

I guess someone thought that the word clan sounded way cool so they just went with that

 

perceived kinship and descent.

You bolded the wrong words. There's your answer.