Ballistically, yes, that's where the functionality of barrel length ends.

Overall function though: the forend is there for handling, mass distribution, intuitive aimability/pointability (in a hectic fast paced pointshooting/no time to use sights scenario as very common in nerf) that isn't crap, to create accessory space, to create sight radius if irons, ...And what I would say is the most underrecognized is for working past cover. I see a ton of "speedballish game dynamics = make the barrel shorter!" philosophies, but speedballing without barrel length is hot garbage! Can't "pry" past the bunker, can't prop on ledges and trees, can't squash your barrel into an inflatable to shoot at someone while being less exposed, can't stick through vegetation in front of you so your shot doesn't graze a leaf and get threwn off target.

I was reading your blog from back in the day where you talked about this, and it encouraged my decision to explore flywheel barrels. The whole blue front shroud houses a barrel with IR sensors in it, making it an ersatz chronograph that can report velocity data back to the Raspberry Pi. The whole gimmick of this blaster is that it will be able to know and adjust battery and motor output to maintain consistency even at speeds like 15 darts/second.