If his name contributed to investment or plans for investment somewhere, then that is a track record. If John Carmack is partnering with someone and they share

If his name contributed to investment or plans for investment somewhere, then that is a track record. If John Carmack is partnering with someone and they share information about what they are partnering on, how, and where, that is extremely valuable information for anyone interested in the space. You don’t need to have shipped something yet in order to make waves that are worth paying attention to. It’s John Carmack.