As soon as the PlayStation Network came back online, 94 percent of its members came back, according to Tretton, and Sony has attracted 3 million more since then, he said.

Asked if games played on smart phones and social networks are a danger to Sony, one of the biggest console makers, Tretton said Sony wants to be "everywhere gaming is" and provide a variety of experiences.

The social element of gaming is key for engaging players, Tretton said, from Zynga CEO Mark Pincus last week. For example, the Vita will have dedicated game applications for Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter and Skype, and allow merchants to attract customers by offering game incentives -- such as unlocking a feature -- to gamers who visit their store or restaurant, he said.