Unfortunately, that is not how corporations work.
First, they define the demographic that makes them the most money.
They then formulate ideas on how they are going to get that money.
That is the process.
Unfortunately, Blizzard wanted the mobile market and mtx crowd. That demographic consists of 10-14 year olds that have never even touched the original Diablo games. That is why the game is where it is at today. Corporate fingers in dev business. Rod was just the yes man collecting the checks.