During last weekend's PlayStation Experience 2016, one of the biggest surprises to come out of the annual convention was surprise reveal of The Last of Us: Part II, and while many of the game's key creatives will return for the highly-anticipated sequel, co-director Bruce Straley will hand over the directing hands for the title.

In a report from Kotaku, Sony has confirmed that Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, will not be returning to direct on The Last of Us: Part II, with sole directorship of the title being handed to director/writer Neil Druckmann.

Sony explained that Straley is currently on a year-long sabbatical from the studio following his work on the studio's last two projects, with Sony detailing that he will be "looking forward to returning to the studio soon" for his next project. The full statement from Sony on Straley's absence (via Kotaku) can be read below:

“Bruce recently decided to take some much deserved time off after shipping two critically acclaimed games in the last few years. He’s looking forward to returning to the studio soon and jumping back in on his next project.”

Straley has worked at Naughty Dog for nearly two decades and has had a hand in many of the company's biggest projects during that time. Prior to his work as co-director on Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and The Last of Us, he also lead game direction on Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and was the art director for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.

The Last of Us: Part II is currently in development for PS4.