I would think game freak must be aware of the popularity of Mega Pokemon. I mean between Pokemon go and just the reception that Mega Pokemon got in a way that Z moves and gigantamax did not get one would have to assume they understand at least that people like Mega Evolution better than their other gimmicks
You know what the simplest problem is?
They all use the same "op mechanic here".
Gen 7 already shown this issue to some degree, however since Z-moves and Mega evolution required held items that excluded each oth-- oh yeah Rayquaza, who can't apparently mega evolve if holding a Z-crystal for a non specified reason.
As of now, their plan is to give emphasis on the current gen mechanic and just by the UI it doesn't look like this gen is meant to support 2 mechanics at once either.
They are still advertising megas in a bunch of other games that aren't mainline. Heck Let's Go had them even.
They're in Go too.
Honestly, it'll be very simple to know if/when Megas are bound to return, and it'll be if/when we have a new generational mechanic that requires a held item or is limited to specific pokemon. Until then, I am extremely skeptical we'll ever see them back, if ever.
Oh and i forgot to respond to this:
2) The future Paradox forms really lack creativity in their naming. I wonder who approved the various creative names for the past Paradox forms, then signed off on "eh, just call them all Iron something" for the future ones. The fact they all break naming conventions will also be a headache going forward, but I assume Game Freak will just solve the problem by making them exclusive to Gen IX and never bring them up again, like the Gigantamax forms of Gen VIII.
I'm afraid that won't be the case, as these ones actually have a dex entry and dex number, and are not forms but actual pokemon.
They're basically Ultrabeasts-tier.
In fact I wouldn't exclude getting more of them with the DLC and joining the bunch of "insert mandatory bunch of legendary to return next generations" club.
