Isaac Tiven

Tiven early build screenshot — Isaac Tiven at the Zaaphire Headquarters, in pre-release build v0.0.7

Dr. Isaac Tiven is a character that was cut from Deus Ex: The Fall. Tiven was written for the Australia and New York City segments of the original story of the game, but these segments were never released. He is mentioned in unused text found in game files of the released game, and also appears in pre-release builds of the game's prototype, Deus Ex: Icarus Rising, which contain a fully playable early version of the Australia mission.

Plot summary[]

In the pre-release Australia mission, Ben Saxon arrives at Zaaphire Biotech's headquarters in Canberra after learning that Dr. Isaac Tiven created an implant in his head known as the "Argus Implant." There, he encounters Tiven, who explains that the Argus Implant is a device used by Belltower and the Tyrants to gather data on the wearer's location, as well as sights and smells. Tiven also informs Ben about Zaaphire's plan to go public and the rapid unethical testing they have done with Riezene (known as "Riezol" in the pre-release story) to move it to market more quickly.

The dialogue between Ben and Tiven reveals that Tiven is very enthusiastic about how Zaaphire is able to challenge on VersaLife's market dominance. In one optional line of dialogue, Tiven speculates that when Riezol becomes widely adopted, no one will even remember Neuropyzene. However, two auto-secretary audio files found in the Canberra facility indicate that Tiven is unaware of the true benefactors funding Zaaphire's research in Riezol.

Later, in the New York City segment of the pre-release story, Ben is surprised to find Tiven at the local LIMB clinic. Tiven has had a change of heart and removes Ben's Argus Implant. Tiven says that the Tyrants manipulated Zaaphire Biotech's finances, which could contain evidence that might lead to what they're planning next. In New York City, Ben would later uncover evidence that Zaaphire was set up and funded by VersaLife.

Tiven does not appear in the released game and the Argus Implant, which originally had a role in the Panama City segment of the game, was cut from the released part of the story. Given that Tiven's role in the original story is closely tied to the Argus Implant, it is not known what role he would have played, if any, if the Australia and New York City segments had been released.

Dialogue[]

The following dialogue appears in Deus Ex: Icarus Rising pre-release build v0.0.7.^[1] Note that in the pre-release story draft, Zaaphire Biotech is spelled "Zaphire" and Riezene is spelled "Riezol."

First Phase[]

Tiven: I would hazard to guess that you're the source of the disturbances in my laboratory tonight.
"Suspicious" option
- Saxon: You don't seem the least bit surprised to see me. What are you doing here?
- Tiven: You will find very little surprises me Mr. Saxon. I am a scientist and I'm simply doing my work.
"Lie" option
- Saxon: No, I'm Belltower... special ops. And I need your help tracking down an... interloper.
- Tiven: Very amusing Mr Saxon. I know exactly who you are. SO if you're done playing games letssic get to the point of why you're here.
"Aggressive" option
- Saxon: Disturbances? Heh, I'm just getting started. You're running a criminal operation here and I'm going to get to the bottom of it.
- Tiven: You're a confident man Mr. Saxon. That's a valuable trait, one that we test for. There's no need strong-arming me. I'll tell you whatever you want. You're no threat to me.

Second phase[]

"Identity" option
- Saxon: How did you know my name?
- Tiven: I know a lot about you. Intimate details. I know what's inside your head. And I know you want it out. My name is Isaac Tiven, and I engineered the Argus Implant, which you must be familiar with by now.
"Isaac" option
- Saxon: Very well Isaac. I know who you are. And I'll know if you're lying. So don't jerk me around!
- Tiven: Splended. Now that we've been acquainted we can proceed.

Third phase[]

"Riezol" option
- Saxon: So you're responsible for the new 'miracle drug' Riezol?
- Tiven: I can't take all the credit for Riezol. I'm an engineer by training. But Zaphire Biotech employs the most talent chemists in the world. And we have benefactors with deep pockets. We're doing what no one has managed to do. We're challenging VersaLife, head on. After Riezol hits the market itssic going to be adopted by Limb clinics one after another. People won't even remember what Neuropozyne was.
- Saxon: People say Riezol isn't safe. That it hasn't been tested properly.
- Tiven: Riezol has been available on the black market for years already. Do you think that's an accident? Itssic part of our accelerated testing'sic regime. We've been able to iterate on the drug freely, without any oversight. And now we're prepared to reap the rewards. It's not our fault if some of the less scrupulous go-betweens involved involved have been cutting the drug. We've factored this into our field testing, and the results are nothing less than stellar.
"Tyrants" option
- Saxon: You're working for the Tyrants. They're a group of murderers, which makes you an accessory to murder.
- Tiven: Please. I'm a scientist. I'm merely pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I'm not responsible for what other people do with my creations. The Tyrants are just another asic client. A powerful client, but a client nonetheless. And look at the good we've been able to achieve. Riezol is going to save millions of lives.
"Argus Implant" option
- Saxon: The Argus Implant. You created it? What does it do?"
- Tiven: A brilliant piece of work. Top of the line espionage. It monitors your location and transmits it at regular intervals. Not just that, but sights, sounds smells. It's like having your own guardian angel, over your shoulder. Always watching.
- Saxon: How did I get it? I never consented to this. And during my time with Belltower it never appeared on any of my charts.
- Tiven: Well originally it was only for foreign agents. Prisoners of war and such. So when they were released back to their home countries and agencies we could keep an eye on them. But Belltower has become more and more... flexible. And this type of thing has become more common. Seriously Ben, did you think you could join the Tyrants without someone keeping a close watch.
- Saxon: Namir! He's been watching me. He knows I'm here.

"Enough" option
- Saxon: I've heard enough. I think I understand the situation. But what I don't understand is why you're helping me. Why are you giving me this information?
- Tiven: You asked. I answered. I'm not hiding anything. The question is, what are you hiding? Why did you come here?

Fourth phase[]

"Get Namir" option
- Saxon: Namir screwed me over once. I'm not going to let him get away with it again. If what you said is true, then Namir must be nearby, on my trail. Help me find him and I'll let you live.
- Tiven: How compassionate of you. You're right though. Namir is here, tonight. I'll give you a pass code which should let you bypass security measures int he lower lab. I hope you find what you're looking for.
"Remove implant" option
- Saxon: I want this bug out of my head! If you're the one who implanted it, then you can remove it
- Tiven: A rushed procedure could render you brain dead. But I can do this... I'll administer a disruptive magnetic charge into your skull. That will delay the implant's transmission rate and scramble some of the data. Consider this a favor. It should give you some breathing room to accomplish... whatever it is you're pursuing.
"To Kill" option
- Saxon: I came here to end this. And if that means I have to take you out... so be it.
- Tiven: How barbaric. I overestimated you Mr. Saxon. I hope you'll reconsider.
"Appeal" option
- Saxon: Listen Isaac. I can respect what you're doing here. Zaphire Biotech is shaking up the whole anti-rejection market. And that's probably a good thing. But Namir, and the Tyrants. They're pure poison.
- Tiven: That's quite an indictment. How can you be so sure?
- "Logic" option
  - Saxon: The Tyrants are a tool of the Illuminati. Thesic never help anyone but their masters. They take advantage of over-ambitious fools like you then dispose of the evidence once they've gotten what they want. You have a logical mind Dr. Tiven. Put the pieces together and you'll see they're using you.
  - Tiven: I can tell you believe what you're saying, but you simply don't understand the situation. You've caused enough trouble for me already, please leave me alone.
- "History" option
  - Saxon: Because it happened to me. I used to be one of them. I thought I was doing the difficult thing, the noble thing. What others couldn't do because they were too weak. It was only after the damage was done that I realized what a mistake I had made. And I'm still trying to claw my way out of hell.
  - TIven: My Situation is very different Mr. Saxon. But I can tell you're a man of principle, and it seems you want to help. Let me return the favor. I'm going to administer a disruptive charge to the Argus Implant in your skull. That should weaken the signal for a while, giving you some breathing room. Some old friends of yours are waiting for you int he lower lab. If you use this pass code you'll have an easier time reaching them in one piece. Good luck Ben.

Audio[]

VO_Env_DataLog_Tiven - Auto-secretary message found in the Lab

Data log item 3064. The results from our accelerated testing program have finally reached the tipping point I knew they would despite various interferences. Riezol can't go public soon enough. I've had it with these mercenaries in the lab, using it as it please. No respect for the work. If they hadn't monopolized our recruitment to experiment on their augmented companion we would have been done months ago.

VO_Env_Zaphire_Meeting – Auto-secretary message found in the Executive area.